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P_UBRARY OF CONGRESS. | 



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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



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MEMOIR AND DIARY 



OP 



JOHN YEARDLEY, 



pttisttr 0f i\t (§ti$pl 



EDITED BY CHARLES TYLOR. 



"Should time with me now close, I die in peace with my God, and in that love 
for mankind which believes 'every nation to be our nation, and every man our 
brother.'" — Diary of J. Teardley. See p. 82. 




PHILADELPHIA: 
gENRY LONGSTRETH, 

1336 CHESTNUT STREET. 
1860. 



1 






^ 



2^^ 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 



PROM JOHN YEARDLEy's CONVERSION TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF HIS 
PUBLIC MINISTRY, 1803-15. 



PAOE 

Birth and occupation 1 

Joseph Wood, of Newhouse.. 2 
Anecdote of Thomas Yeard- 

ley 4 

John Yeardley's conversion... 5 
He enters T. D. Walton's 

linen warehouse '^ 

Joins the Society of Friends.. 10 



PAGE 

Marriage with Elizabeth 
Dunn — Commencement of 

his Diary 11 

A. Clarke's " Commentary". . . 16 
Enters into business on his 

own account 20 

Visit of Sarah Lamley 22 

Call to the ministry 23 



CHAPTER II. 

FROM HIS ENTRANCE ON THE MINISTRY IN 1815, TO HIS COMMISSION TO 
RESIDE IN GERMANY IN 1820. 



First ofiEerings in the minis- 
try 27 

Is unsuccessful in business. 32 

Removes to Bentham 36 

His views on the Christian 

ministry 39 

Visit of Hannah Field, 41 



Is recorded a minister. . . 42 

Visits Kendal and Lancaster, 
in company with Joseph 

Wood 43 

Visit to Friends at Barnsley.. 47 

Journey to York 50 

Letters to Thomas Yeardley.. 51 



CHAPTER III. 

FROM HIS COMMISSION TO RESIDE ABROAD IN 1820, TO HIS REMOVAL TO 

GERMANY IN 1822. 



Prospect of residing in Ger- 
many 55 

Visit from John Kirkham 56 

Liverpool Quarterly Meeting. 59 

Public meeting at Wray..-. ... 60 

Visit of Ann Jones 65 

Journey to Leeds 66 

Death of Joseph Wood 68 



Illness of Elizabeth Yeardley. 69 

Her death 72 

John Yeardley goes to Hull. . 75 
Extracts from Elizabeth 

Yeardley's letters 76 

Testimony concerning Joseph 

Wood 78 

(iii) 



IV 



CONTEXTS. 



CHAPTER IV. 

HIS FIRST RESIDENCE IN GERMANY, 1822-24. 



Sails to Hamburg — His lodg- 
ing at Eppendorf. 81 

Arrives at Pyrniout 83 

Friedensthal 84 

Religious service with Tho- 
mas Shillitoe 86 

Establishment of the Read- 
ing and Youths' meetings 
at Pyrmont 86, 91 



PAOE 

Mode of bleaching 92 

Visiters at the Baths attend 

Pyrmont meeting 94 

J. Y. visits Minden and 

Eidinghausen 99 

Plan for helping the Friends 

of Minden 102 

Journey to Leipzig 104 

Returns to England 106 



CHAPTER V. 

FROM giS RETURN TO ENGLAND IN 1824, TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF HIS 
FIRST CONTINENTAL JOURNEY IN 1825. 



Mental depression 108 

Journey with Elizabeth H. 
Walker through the Mid- 
land Counties 109 

Yearly Meeting 110 

Returns to Friedensthal Ill 



Humiliation 112 

Certificate for the South of 
France 114 

Martha Savory's visit to the 
Continent 115 

Journey to Rotterdam 116 



CHAPTER VI. 

HIS FIRST CONTINENTAL JOURNEY, 1825-26. 



John Yeardley and his com- 
panions leave Pyrmont... 120 

Visit Elberfeld, Creveldt, 
Miihlheim, &c 121 

Neuwied — the Inspirirten. . . 125 

Journey to Berlenburg 126 

-^re placed under arrest at 
Erndebrlick 127 

Set at liberty by the Land- 
rath of Berlenburg 130 

The Old and New Separatists 131 



Gelnhausen and Raneberg... 133 

Pforzheim — H. Kienlin 134 

Stuttgardt, Basle, &c 135 

Zurich — the Gessner family.. 137 

Berne 138 

Geneva 139 

Journey to Congenies 140 

Religious service in the South 

of France 142 

St. Etienne 143 

Return to England 144 



CHAPTER VIL 

HIS MARRIAGE WITH MARTHA SAVORY, 1826-27. 



John Yeardley goes into 
Yorkshire 146 

Death of his parents 148 

Marriage with Martha Sa- 
vory 149 

Biographical notice of Mar- 
tha Savory 150 



Letter from Martha Yeard- 
ley 156 

J. and M. Y. take up their 
abode at Burton, near 
Barnsley 158 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER YIII. 

THE SECOND CONTINENTAL JOURNEY, 1827-28. 

PART I. GERMANY. 

PAQB 



J. and M. Y. sail to Rotter- 
dam 162 

Minden, &c 163 

Journey to the shores of the 
North Sea 164 

Visit to the colonists on the 
Grodens 166 



PAOB 

Fredericks-Oort 170 

Frankfort 172 

Darmstadt — Diirkheim 173 

Stuttgardt 175 

Kornthal, 176 

Wilhelmsdorf 179 



CHAPTER IX. 

THE SECOND CONTINENTAL JOURNEY, 1827-28. 



PART II. SWITZERLAND. 



Schaffliansen 180 

Beuggen 181 

Zurich 182 

Hofwyl — Geneva — A. Bost. . 184 

Lausanne 187 

Neufchatel 188 



Berne and the neighborhood. 189 
Montmirail — Neufchatel .... 191 
Locle — Mary Anne Calame.. 192 
Journey through France. . . , 194 
Guernsey — Accident on the 
water 195 



CHAPTER X. 

HOME OCCUPATIONS AND TRAVELS IN ENGLAND AND WALES, 1828-33 



Illness of Martha Yeardley. . 197 
'iCtter from M. A. Calame.. . 198 

5f early Meeting 199 

Letter from Auguste Borel — 
Public meetings in York- 
shire 200 

Death of James A. Wilson — 
Journey through the West- 
ern Counties 201 

Yarious religious engage- 
ments 204 



Journey through Wales with 
Elizabeth Dudley 205 

Yisit to Lancashire. .' 210 

Removal to Scarborough.. . . 211. 

Establishment of a Bible- 
class at ditto 213 

Prospects of a journey to 
Greece 214 

Argyri Climi 216 

Yearly Meeting of Ministers 
and Elders 217 



CHAPTER XL 

THE THIRD CONTINENTAL JOURNEY, OR THE JOURNEY TO GREECE, 

1833-34. 

PART I. THE JOURNEY TO ANCONA. 



Paris 222 

Death of Rachel Waterhouse. 225 

Nancy 226 

Phalsbourg — Strasburg — 

Pastor Majors 227 

Ban de la Roche 233 

Basle 234 



Neufchatel 235 

Polish Count and Countess. . 236 

Geneva 237 

Journey through Italy 238 

Ancona 239 

Letters from Friends in En- 
gland 241 



VI 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER XII. 

THE THIRD CONTINENTAL JOURNEY, 1833-34. 



PART II. — GREECE. 



PAOE 

Corfu 244 

Count F. Sardina 246 

Santa Maura 250 

Wigwam village on the main- 
land 254 

Cephalonia — Zante 257 

Patras — the Gulf of Corinth. 259 



PAQB 

Galaxidi — Trying situation.. . 260 

Castri (the ancient Delphi). . 262 

Journey to Athens 264 

Athens 266 

Corinth 268 

Detentions — Vostizza 269 

Patras 270 

Corfu 271 



CHAPTER XIII. 

THE THIRD CONTINENTAL JOURNEY, 1833-34. 
PART III. THE RETURN FROM GREECE. 



Letters from John Rowntree 

and William Allen 272 

Ancona 274 

Florence 275 

The Custom-house — Pied- 
mont 276 

Geneva 278 

Lausanne 279 



Berne i ; 280 

Zurich — SchafiFhausen 283 

Basle — Death of Thomas 

Yeardley 284 

Death of M. A. Calame 285 

Neufchatel 287 

Return to England — Death 

of A. B. Savory 288 



CHAPTER XIV. 

FROM THE END OF THE THIRD CONTINENTAL JOURNEY IN 1834 TO THE 

COMMENCEMENT OF THE FOURTH IN 1842. 



Divisions in the Society of 
Friends 291 

Employment of leisure time.. 292 

Girls' Lancasterian school at 
Scarborough 293 

Death of Elizabeth Rowntree 
— Letter from M. Y. to 
Elizabeth Dudley 295 



Yisit to Thame 297 

Visit to Lancashire 298 

Visits to the Isle of Wight... 300 

Death of John Rutter 302 

Prospect of revisiting the 
Continent 303 



CHAPTER XV 

THE FOURTH CONTINENTAL JOURNEY, 1842-43. 



Amiens 306 

Paris 307 

Letters from E. Dudley and 

J. Rowntree 308 

Lyons 310 

Nisraes — Boarding-school for 

girls 312 

Letter from John Rowntree.. 313 

Montp61ier 314 

Lesengnan 316 

Maux 317 

Saverdun 319 



Toulouse 320 

Montauban — Castres 322 

Tullins— Grenoble 324 

Geneva 325 

Lausanne 326 

Neufchatel— Paul P6tavel. . . 327 

Locle 328 

Berne 329 

Basle 330 

Carlsruhe — Frankfort 331 

Accident to J. Y.— Vlotho . . 332 



CONTENTS. 



vu 



CHAPTER XYI. 

REMOVAL TO STAMFORD-HILL, AND COMMENCEMENT OP THE FIFTH 
CONTINENTAL JOURNEY, 1843-48. 



PAGE 

Removal to Berkhamstead. . . 334 
Removal to Stamford-hill .. . 335 
Visit to the families of 

Gracechurch-St. Monthly 

Meeting 336 

Death of J. J. Gurney and 

I. Stickuey... 337 

Prepare for revisiting the 

Continent 338 

Brussels 340 



PAQB 



H.YanMaasdyk 341 

Charleroi — Spa 344 

Bonn 345 

Mannheim, Strasburg 346 

Basle 347 

Berne— Neufchatel 348 

Grenoble 350 

Privas— Yals 351 

Nismes — Congenies 353 



CHAPTER XYII. 



COMPLETION OP THE FIFTH 

Letter from J. Y. to John 

Kitching 355 

Elberfeld— Muhlheim 356 

Bonn 359 

Kreuznach — J. A. Ott 361 

Mannheim 363 

Stuttgardt — Death of Eliza- 
beth Dudley 364 

Kornthal 366 

Kreuznach 367 

Bonn 369 



CONTINENTAL JOURNEY, 1849-50. 

Return home — Resume their 

journey 370 

Berlin — A. Beyerhaus 371 

"Warmbrunn 373 

Illness of Martha Yeardley — 

Toplitz 375 

Prague — Translation of tracts 
into the Bohemian lan- 
guage, 376 

Kreuznach — Neuwied 378 



CHAPTER XYIII. 

DEATH OF MARTHA YEARDLEY, AiiD JOHN YEARDLEY's JOURNEY TO 

NORWAY, 1851-52. 



Illness and death of Martha 

Yeardley 379 

J. Y. visits Ireland 382 

Prospect of a journey to 

Norway 383 

Homburg— Illness of J. Y. . . 384 

Christiana — Christiansand.... 386 



Stavanger 389 

Excursion up one of the 

fiords 390 

Bergen 394 

Meetings at Foedde and other 

places 395 

Obernkirchen 397 



CHAPTER XIX. 

HIS JOURNEY TO SOUTH RUSSIA, 1853. 



Passport — Sails from Hull.. 400 

Petersburg 401 

Moscow 403 

Journey to lekaterinoslav. . . 404 

Kharkof.. , 405 

Rybalsk — The German Colo- 
nies 407 

The Molokans 413 

The Crimea—The Tartars . . 414 



A suspicious halting-place — 

Simpheropol 415 

Feodosia 416 

Odessa — Constantinople .... 417 

Smyrna 419 

Syra— Malta 420 

Nismes — Bagn&res de Bi- 

gorre 421 

Pialoux 424 



Vlil 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER XX. 

PROM HIS RETURN PROM RUSSIA TO HIS LAST JOURNEY, 1853-58. 



Visits Bath 425 

The Yearly Meeting — Life of 

J. J. Gurney 426 

Visit to Minden — Religious 

service in Yorkshire 429 

Goes again to Minden 430 

Neuveville 431 

Paris 432 



PAQB 

Visit to Bristol and Glouces- 
ter Quarterly Meetings 433 

Minden 436 

Visit to Birmingham, Leices- 
ter, &c 437 

Goes to Nismes 438 

Visits Chelmsford, &c 441 



CHAPTER XXL 

LAST JOURNEr AND DEATH, 1858. CONCLUDING REMARKS. 



Religious Mission to Asiatic 

Turkey 443 

Voyage to Constantinople. . . 445 

Sun-stroke 446 

Meetings in the neighborhood 
of Constantinople 447 



Is seized with paralysis, and 
returns home 449 

His death — Remarks on his 
character 450 

Notes of some of his public 
testimonies 453 



MEMOIR 



Of 



JOHN YEARDLEY. 



CHAPTER I. 



FROM JOHN YEAEDLEY'S CONVERSION TO THE COMMENCEMENT 
OF HIS PUBLIC MINISTRY. 

1803—1815. 

John Yeardley was born on the 3rd of the First 
Month, 1786, at a small farm-house beside Orgreave 
Hall, in the valley of the Eother, four miles south of 
Botherham. His parents, Joel and Frances Yeardley, 
farmed some land, chiefly pasture, and his mother is 
said to have been famous for her cream-cheeses, which 
she carried herself to Sheffield market. She was a 
pious and industrious woman ; but, through the miscon- 
duct of her husband, was sometimes reduced to such 
straits as scarcely to have enough food for her children. 

Before they left Orgreave they were attracted towards 
the worship of Friends, and several of the family, in- 
cluding two of Joel Yeardley's sisters, embraced the 
truth as held by the Society. In the year 1802 they 
removed to a farm at Blacker, three miles south of 
Barnsley, and attended the meeting at Monk Bretton, 

(1) 



2 JOSEPH WOOD OF NEWHOUSE. [1802. 

or Burton, near that town, where the meeting-house 
then stood. At Blacker it was John's business to ride 
into Barnsley daily on a pony, with two barrels of milk 
to distribute to the customers of his mother's dairy. His 
elder brother Thomas worked on the farm. 

Their attendance at Burton meeting brought the 
family imder the notice of Joseph Wood, a minister of 
the Society, residing at Newhouse, near Highflatts, four 
miles from Penis tone. Joseph Wood had been a York- 
shire clothier, but relinquished business in the prime of 
life, and spent the rest of his days in assiduous pastoral 
labor of a kind of which we have few examples. To 
attend a Monthly Meeting he would leave home on foot 
the Seventh-day before, with John Bottomley, also a 
Friend and preacher, and at one time his servant, for 
some neighboring meeting. He would occupy the 
evening with social calls, dropping at every house the 
word of exhortation or comfort. The meeting next day 
would witness his fervent ministry. In the afternoon 
they would proceed to the place where the Monthly 
Meeting was to be held the following day, which they 
would attend, filling up the time before and after with 
social and religious visits. In the intervals of the 
Monthly Meetings, when not engaged on more distant 
service, it was his practice to appoint meetings for 
worship in the villages around Highflatts, and very 
frequently to visit those places where individuals were 
" under convincement," particularly Barnsley and Dews- 
bury, where at that time many were added to the 
Society. On his return home from these ser\ices he 
would spend the day in an upper room, without a fire, 
even in the severest weather, writing a minute account 
of all that had happened. 



iET. 17.] VISITS THE YEARDLEY FAMILY. 3 

It was in 1803 that Joseph Wood first had mteicourse 
with Joel Yeardley's family. Under date of the 19th 
of the Fourth Month, he says, speaking of himself and 
some other concerned Friends: — 

We felt an inclination to visit Joel Yeardley's family, who 
are under convincement, and who have lately removed from 
near Handsworth Woodhouse. We went to breakfast. He 
and Frances his wife, with Thomas and John their sons, the 
former about nineteen, the latter seventeen years of age, re- 
ceived ns in a very kind and affectionate manner, expressing 
their satisfaction at our coming to see them. They appeared 
quite open, and gave us a particular account of the manner 
of their convincement and beginning to attend Friends' meet- 
ings, which was about four years ago. I believe there is a 
good degree of sincerity in the man and his wife, and the two 
sons appear to be tender and hopeful. 

The next month Joseph Wood repeated his visit, and 
gives an account of the interview in the following 
words : — 

5 mo.f 1803. — Having ever since I was at Joel Yeardley's 
the last month, felt my mind drawn to sit with the family, 
and this appearing to me to be the right time, I set out 
from home the 14:th of the Fifth Month, in company with 
John Bottomley. Got to Joel Yeardley's betwixt four and 
five o'clock. After tea, Thomas Dixon Walton and Samuel 
Coward of Barn si ey came to meet us there. In the evening 
we had a precious opportunity together, in which caution, 
counsel, advice, and encouragement flowed plentifully, suited 
to the varied states of the family. I had a long time therein 
first, from 1 Cor. xv. 58 ; John Bottomley next. Afterwards 
I had a pretty long time, after which J. B. was concerned in 
prayer. At the breaking up of the opportunity I had some- 
thing very encouraging to communicate to their son Thomas, 
who, I believe, is an exercised youth, to whom my spirit felt 
very nearly united. 



4 ANECDOTE OF THOMAS YEARDLET. [18U3. 

Joel Yeardley unhappily did not long remain faithful 
to his convictions. He not only himself drew back 
from intercourse with Friends, but was unwilling his 
sons should leave their work to attend week-day meet- 
ings, and did all in his power to prevent them. This is 
shown by the following narrative from Joseph Wood's 
memoranda : — 

As William Wass and I were going to attend a Committee 
at HigliflattS; on our Monthly Meeting day, in the morning, 
we met with Thomas Yeardley of Blacker, near Worsbro', 
a Youno^ man who is under convincement. I was a little 
surprised to see him having on a green singlet and smock 
frock. He burst out into tears; I inquired the matter, and 
if something was amiss at home; he only replied, "Not 
much ;" and we not having time to stop, proceeded, and he 
went forward to my house. This was on the 19th of the 
Ninth Month, 1803. 

After the Monthly Meeting was over, I had an opportunity 
to inquire into the cause of his appearance and trouble, 
and found that he was religiously concerned to attend week- 
day meetings, which his father was much averse to ; and 
in order to procure his liberty he had worked almost beyond 
his ability ; but all would not do, his father plainly telling 
him that he should quit the house. The evening before, 
he applied to him for leave to come to the meeting at High- 
flatts to-day ; but he refused, and treated him with very rough 
language. However, as the concern remained with him, he 
rose early in the morning and got himself ready; but his 
father came and violently pulled the clothes off his back, 
and his shirt also, and took all his other clothes from him 
but those we met him in, telling him to get a place imme- 
diately, for he should not stop in his house. Being thus 
stripped, he went to his work in the stable ; but, not feeling 
easy without coming to meeting, he set out as he was, not 
minding his dress, so that he might but be favored to get to 
the meeting. 



MT. 17.] JOHN" YEAKDLEY's CONVEKSION. 5: 

This evening we liad an opportunity with him in my 
parlor, much to our satisfaction. The language of encou- 
ragement and consolation flowed freely and plentifully 
towards him through William Wass, John Bottomley, and 
myself; and afterwards, in conference with him, we found 
liberty to advise him to return home (he having before 
thought of procuring a place), believing if he was preserved 
faithful, way would in time be made for him, and that it 
might perhaps be a means of his father's restoration ; as at 
times, he said, he appeared a little different, not having 
wholly lost his love to Friends, and always behaved kindly 
to them. He took our advice kindly, and complied there- 
with. After stopping two nights at my house, he returned 
home. 

Joseph Wood did not suffer much time to elapse 
before he paid another visit to Blacker, to comfort the 
afflicted family. It was from this visit, as we apprehend, 
that John Yeardley dated his change of heart. " I was 
convinced," he said on one occasion, " at a meeting 
which Joseph Wood had with our family." 

7 mo. 17, 1803.— Thomas Walker Haigh and William 
Gant accompanied us to Joel Yeardley's, where we tarried 
all night; but the two young men from Barnsley returned 
home after supper. Joel was from home, but after tea we 
had a religious opportunity with the rest of the family, in 
which I had a very long consolatory and encouraging tes- 
timony to bear to the deeply-suffering exercised minds from 
John xvi. 33. Afterwards I had a pretty long time, prin- 
cipally to their son John, who I believe was under a precious 
visitation from on high. He was much broken and tendered, 
and I hope this season of remarkable favor will not soon be 
forgotten by him. 

On his return home Joseph Wood wrote him the 
following letter : — 



6 LETTER FROM VoSEPH WOOD. [1803. 

Nowhouse, 10 mo. 24, 1803. 

Beloved Friend, John Yeardley, 

Thou hast often been in my remembrance since I last saw 
thee, accompanied with an earnest desire that the seed sown 
may prosper and bring forth fruit in its season, to the praise 
and glory of the Great Husbandman, who, I believe, is calling 
thee to glory, honor, immortality, and eternal life. And 
O mayest thou be willing in this the day of his power to 
leave all and follow him who hath declared, " Every one who 
hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or 
mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, 
shall receive an hundred-fold, and shall inherit everlasting 
life." 

Not that we should be found wanting in our duty to our 
near connexions, for true religion does not destroy natural 
affection, but brings and preserves it in its proper place. When 
our earthly parents command one thing, and the Almighty 
another, it is better for us to obey God than man, and herein 
is our love manifested unto him by our obedience to his com- 
mands though it may sometimes clash against our parents' 
minds. At the same time it is our duty to endeavor to 
convince them, that we are willing to obey all their lawful 
commands, where they do not interfere with our duty to Him 
who hath given us life, breath, and being, and mercifully 
visited us by his grace. I thought a remark of this kind 
appeared to be required of me, apprehending if thou art 
faithful unto the Lord, thou wilt find it to be thy duty at 
times to leave thy worldly concerns to attend religious 
meetings, which may cause thee deep and heavy trials ; but 
remember for thy encouragement, the promise of the 
hundred-fold in this world, and in that which is to come, 
eternal life. 

Thou art favored with a pious though afflicted mother, 
and a religiously-exercised elder brother, who, I doubt not, 
will rejoice to see thee grow in the truth. May you all be 
blessed wivh the blessing of preservation, and strengthened 
to keep your ranks in righteousness, and may you be a 
strength and comfort to each other, and hold up a standard 



^T. 17.] VISIT TO JOSEPH WOOD. 7 

of truth and righteousness in the neighborhood where your 
lot is cast. Do not flinch, my beloved friend ; be not 
ashamed to become a true follower of Christ. When little * 
things are required of thee, be faithful ; thus shalt thou be 
made ruler over more ; when greater things are manifested 
to be thy duty, remember the Lord is able to support, who 
declared by the mouth of his prophet formerly, ''Mine 
heritage is unto me as a speckled bird, the birds round about 
are against her." But if the Lord be on our side, it matters 
little who may be permitted to arise against us, for his power 
is above all the combined powers of the wicked one, and he 
will bless and preserve those who above all things are con- 
cerned to serve him faithfully, which that thou mayest be 
is the sincere desire of thy truly loving and affectionate 
friend, 

Joseph Wood. 

The word which had been so fitly spoken took deep 
root in John Yeardley's heart, and on the following 
New-year's day he went up to Newhouse to converse 
with his experienced and sympathizing friend. 

On the 1st of the First Month, 1804, (writes Joseph Wood,) 
John Yeardley came to my house, on purpose to see me. He 
got here betwixt ten and eleven o'clock in the forenoon, 
attended our meeting and tarried with us until after tea, 
and then returned home. He is a hopeful youth, tender in 
spirit, and of a sweet natural disposition ; was convinced of 
the truth in an opportunity I had at his father's house, and, 
I hope, is likely to do well. I love him much, and much 
desire his preservation, growth, and establishment upon the 
everlasting foundation, against which the gates of Hell are 
not able to prevail. 

Shortly after this, we obtain from John Yeardley's 
own hand an insight into the depth of those religions 
convictions which had so mercifully been vouchsafed to 



8 SPIRITUAL EXERCISE. [1804. 

him. The manner m which this interesting memo- 
, randum conchides is quaint, but it expresses a resolu- 
tion to which he was enabled to adhere in a remarkable 
degree throughout the course of his long life ; for of 
him it may be said that, beyond many, his pursuits, his 
aims, and his conversation were not of the world, but 
were bounded by the line of the Gospel, and animated 
by its self-denying spirit. 

Blacker, 2 mo. 9, 1804. — As I pursued these earthly 
enjoyments, it pleased the Lord, in the riches of his mercy 
to turn me back in the blooming of my youth, and favor 
me with the overshadowing of his love, to see the splendid 
pleasures that so easily detained my precious time. He 
was graciously pleased to call me to the exercise of that 
important work which must be done in all our hearts, which 
appears to me no small cross to my own will, and attended 
with many discouragements ; yet I am made to believe it is 
the way wherein I ought to go ; and I trust Thou, Lord, 
who hast called, will enable me to give up, and come forward 
in perfect obedience to the manifestations of thy divine light, 
so as a thorough change may be wrought, that I may be 
fitted and prepared for a place in thy everlasting kingdom. 
Though at times I am led into great discouragement, and 
almost ready to faint by the way, fearing I shall never be 
made conqueror over those potent enemies who so much 
oppose my happiness, be Thou near in these needful times, 
and underneath to bear me up in all the difficulties which it 
is necessary I should pass through for my further refinement, 
whilst I have a being in this earthly pilgrimage. Strong are 
the ties that seem to attach me to the earth ; but O ! I have 
cause to believe, from a known sense, stronger are the ties of 
thy overshadowing Spirit than all the ties of natural affec- 
tion. Great and frequent are the trials and temptations, and 
narrow is the way wherein we ought to walk; alas! too 
narrow for many. O may I ever be preserved, faithfully 
pressing forward to the eternal land of rest I 



^T. 18.] SPIRITUAL EXERCISE. 9 

Dear Lord, wtio knowest tlie secret of all hearts, thou 
knowest I am at times under a sense of great weakness ; but 
thou, who art always waiting to gather the tender youth into 
thy flock and family, hast mercifully reached over me with 
thy gathering arm. Mayst thou ever be near to strengthen 
me in every weakness ; and make me willing to leave all, take 
up my daily cross, and follow thee in the denial of self, not 
fearing to confess thee before men. Always give me strength 
to perform whatsoever thou mayest require at my hands ; 
wean my affections more and more ; attract me nearer to 
thyself; and lead me through this world as a stranger, never 
to be known to it more but by the name of John Yeardley. 

In the Third Month Joseph Wood again addressed 
his young friend by letter, encouraging him to be stead- 
fast in trial, and to beware of the gilded baits of the 
enemy ; and promising him, that if he followed the 
Lord faithfully, his works should appear marvellous in 
his eyes, his wonders be disclosed to him in the deeps, 
and he on his part would be made willing to serve him 
with a perfect heart. 

In the Sixth Month, again visiting Blacker, he had a 
"precious, heart-tendering religious opportunity with 
all the family." 

About this time Joel Yeardley was so much reduced 
in his circumstances as to be obliged to give up farm- 
ing, which compelled his sons to seek their own means 
of livelihood. Thomas and John went into Barnsley, 
where they applied themselves to the linen manufac- 
ture, and were taken into the warehouse of Thomas 
Dixon Walton, a Friend, who afterwards married a 
daughter of Thomas Shillitoe. 

In the First Month, 1806, Joseph Wood records 
another interesting interview with his young friend : — 

1 mo. 7. — I called on Thomas Dixon Walton and John 
2 



1(^ CALL TO THE MIXLSTRY. [1808. 

Yeardley, witli whom I had a religious opportunity in which 
the language of encouragement flowed freely ; I being 
opened unto them from Luke xii. 32 ; " Fear not, little 
flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the 
kingdom." 

In the Third INIonth of this year John Yeardley 
made application for membership in the Society of 
Friends, and was admitted in the Fifth Month follow- 
ing, being then twenty years of age. His brother 
Thomas had joined the Society some time before. The 
brothers are thus described by one who knew them 
intimately : — Thomas, as a man of homely manners, of 
hearty and genial character, and greatly beloved ; John, 
as possessing a native refinement which made it easy 
for him in after-life to rise in social position, but whose 
reserved habits caused him to be less generally appre- 
ciated. 

The call which John Yeardley received, and which 
he so happily obeyed, to leave the world and enter by 
the strait gate into the kingdom of heaven, w^as accom- 
panied, as w^e shall afterwards see more fully, by a 
secret conviction that he would one day have publicly 
to preach to others the Gospel of salvation. A sense 
that such was the case seems to have taken hold of 
Joseph Wood's mind, in a visit which he made him 
some time after his admission into the Society. 

1 mo. 29, 1808.— Sat with T. D. Walton and his wife, 
and his man John Yeardley. I had two pretty long testi- 
monies to bear from Colossians iv. 17. I had to show the 
necessity there was for those who had received a gift in the 
ministry to be faithful, and, as Satan was as busy about 
these as any others, to be careful to withstand nis tempta- 
tions, that nothing might hinder our fulfilment of this gift, 



^T. 22.] MARRIAGE. 11 

nor anything be suffered to prevail over us that might hinder 
its proper effect upon others. 

After Thomas was gone to breakfast, mj mind was unex- 
pectedly opened in a pretty long encouraging testimony to 
John, from John xxi. 22 — '^What is that to thee? follow 
thou me ;" having gently to caution him not to look at 
others to his hurt, but faithfully follow his Master, Jesus 
Christ, in the way of his leadings. 

In 1809 John Yeardlev married Elizabeth Dunn. 
She was much older than himself, " plain in person," 
but " full of simplicity and goodness," and of a " most 
lovable" character. Like her husband she had come 
into the Society by convincement ; and like him she 
had partaken in a large degree of the paternal sym- 
pathy and oversight of Joseph Wood. She had been a 
Methodist, and was one of the first who joined with 
Friends at Barnsley in the awakening which took place 
there in the beginning of the century. 

John Yeardley and his wife inhabited, on their mar- 
riage, a small house at the southern extremity of the 
town, whither very soon afterwards was transferred 
the afternoon meeting which it was customary to hold 
at some Friend's house in Barnsley. The morning 
meeting continued to be held at Burton until 1816, 
when a new meeting-house was built in the town. 

They had only one child, a son, who died in infancy. 

John Yeardley commenced his Diary in 1811; and 
this valuable record of his religious experience, and of 
his travels in the service of the Gospel, was maintained 
with more or less regularity to the end of his life. The 
motive which induced him to adopt this practice is 
given in the following*lines, with which the manuscript 
commences : — 

It may seem a little strange that I should, in my present 



12 COMMENCEMENT OF HIS DIARY. [1811. 

situation; attempt to keep any memorandums of the following 
kind ; but feeling desirous simply to pen down a few broken 
remarks as they may at times occur to my mind, I apprehend 
no great harm can arise ; and if, by causing a closer scrutiny 
into my future stepping along, they should in any degree 
exercise my mind to spiritual improvement, the intended 
purpose will be fully answered. 

The first entry is dated the 6th of the Tenth Month, 
1811:— 

First-day. — Have been sweetly refreshed at our little meet- 
ing this morning. I have long felt assured that Time calls 
for greater diligence in me than has hitherto been rendered. 
And when I consider the innumerable favors and privileges 
which I enjoy at the hands of Divine Providence, beyond 
many of my fellow-creatures, and the few returns of gratitude 
I am making, it raises in me an inexpressible desire that my 
few remaining days may be dedicated, in humble obedience, 
to Him whose great and noble cause I am professing to 
promote. 

How unstable is human nature ! On sitting down in 
meeting this evening I got into a state of unwatchfulness, 
which continued so long as to deprive me of the refreshment 
my poor mind so often stands in need of. 

In the entries which follow, the progress of the inward 

w^ork and the preparation for future service are very 

evident : — 

« 

13^/2. — Went to our morning gathering in a low frame of 

mind, and was made afresh to believe that were we more 

concerned to dwell nearer the pure principle of Truth when 

out of meetings, Ave should not find such difficult access 

when thus collected, but each one would be encouraged to 

come under the precious influence of that baptizing power 

which would cement and refresh our spirits together. 

then, I firmly believe, our Heavenly Father would in an 



iET. 25.] DIARY. 13 

eminent manner condescend to crown our assemblies with 
the oversliadowing of bis love, and enable ns not only to roll 
away the stone, but to draw living water as out of the wells 
of salvation. 

Vlth. — '' Create in me a clean heart, God, and renew a 
right spirit within me," was a language which secretly passed 
my mind in meeting this morning ; and though inwardly poor 
as I am, yet I dare not but acknowledge it a privilege to be 
favored even with a good desire, 

24^/?. — Was a little refreshed at our morning gathering, 
my spirit being exercised under a concern that I might not 
rest satisfied with anything short of living experience ; and I 
felt comforted with a lively hope that He whom my soul 
loveth will not fail to manifest his divine regard to one who 
is sincerely desirous to become acquainted with his ways. O, 
how shall I render suf&cient thankfulness for such a favor, 
thus to be made once more sweetly to partake of the brook 
by the way. 

Thought the evening sitting rather dull, though the 
ministry of T. S. was lively, which is a confirming proof that 
however favored we may be at certain seasons, yet if at any 
time we suffer our attention to be diverted from the real 
object, it frustrates the design of Him who I believe intends 
that we should wait together to renew our strength. 



In the Eleventh Month Henry Hull, from the United 
States, accompanied by John Hull of Uxbridge, visited 
Burton, and had good service their, both amongst Friends 
and with the public. ' They lodged at John Yeardley's, 
and, in describing their labors and the pleasure he de- 
rived from their society, he records his thankfulness at 
being placed in a situation in life such as afforded him 
the opportunity of entertaining the Lord's servants. 

His disposition was lively and strongly inclined to 
humor, and he early felt the necessity of having this 
natural trait of character subjected to the rule of hea- 



14 DIARY. [1812. 

venly wisdom. Under date 27th of the Eleventh Month 
he says : — 

I feel a little compunction for having these few days past 
given way too much to the lightness of my disposition, and 
not heing sufficiently concerned to seek after that stability 
and serious reflection which never fails to improve the mind. 

On the 26th of the Twelfth Month he records a state 
of spiritual poverty. 

Such, he says, has been the instability of my mind, that 
my "Beloved is unto me as a fountain sealed." But, he 
adds, I feel a little tendered this evening, on reading over a 
few comfortable expressions in a letter from my friend Joseph 
Wood. 

This condition of mind continued for some months, 
when he thus breaks forth : — 

8 mo. 8, 1812. — How pleasant it is once more to be 
favored with a few drops of living water from the springs 
of that well which my soul has had for many weeks past to 
languish after, and which I trust has been wisely withheld 
in order to show me that, although it is our indispensable 
duty to persevere in digging for it, yet it is only in His own 
tinre that we are permitted to drink thereof. 

His just appreciation of the nature of meetings held 
for the discipline of the Church, and of the spirit in 
which they are to be conducted, is shown in an early 
part of the Diary. 

3 mo. 15. — Was at our Preparative Meeting. The queries 
having to be answered, I was led into deep thoughtful- 
ness respecting the same, and inwardly solicited that the 
Father of mercies would lend his divine aid, in the perform- 
ance of such important duties; which I have reason to 
believe was in some measure answered, for they were gone 



MT. 26.] MEETINGS FOR DISCIPLINE. 15 

tlirongh with a degree of ease and comfort to mj own mind. 
May I ever keep in remembrance tlie testimonies of his love 
which are so often manifested ! 

8 mo. 17. — Meeting for discipline at Burton. The fore- 
part was conducted, I think, to edification ; but in the latter. 
one subject occupied much time unnecessarily, and did not 
conclude to general satisfaction. When some whose spirits 
are not well seasoned, speak to circumstances which they 
may not have sufficiently considered, it sometimes does more 
harm than they may at first apprehend. 

The entries in the Diary at this time shew many 
alternations of discouragement and comfort, and of that 
deep searching of his own heart from which he seldom 
shrank, and which is the only way to the liberty and 
peace of the soul. 

4 mo. 12. — In contemplating the gracious dealings of the 
Almighty with me from time to time, *! have been led to 
query. Is it not that I might, by patiently submitting to the 
turnings and overturnings of his most holy hand, become 
fashioned to show forth his praise ? But alas ! where are the 
fruits? Is not the work rather marring as on the wheel; 
can I, in sincerity say, I am the clay, Thou art the potter ? 
I feel weary of my own negligence ; for it seems as if the day 
with me was advancing faster than the work. I fear lest I 
should be cast off' for want of giving greater diligence to 
make my calling sure. may he who is perfect in wisdom 
strengthen the feeble desire which remains, and melt my 
stubborn will into perfect obedience by the operation of his 
pure spirit. 

In the next memoranda which we shall transcribe 
we see when and how^ his mind was imbued with the 
love of Scriptural inquiry and illustration. Two or 
three good books well read and digested in younger life 
often form the thinking habits of the man, and supply 
no small part of the substance, or at any rate the 



16 A. Clarke's commentary. [1812. 

nucleus, of his knowledge. This shows the vast import- 
ance of a wise choice of authors, at the time when the 
mind is the most susceptible of impressions, and the 
most capable of appropriating the food which is pre- 
sented to it. Those who knew John Yeardley will 
recognise the intimate connexion between these early 
studies and the character of his future life and ministry. 
If any should think his language on this or kindred 
subjects marked by excessive caution, they must bear in 
mind the comparative by unintellectual circle in which 
he moved. 

I trust, he writes, under date of 4 mo. 28, a few of my 
leisure hours for two or three weeks past have been spent 
profitably in perusing some of A. Clarke's Notes on the 
Book of Genesis ; and although I am fully aware that the 
greatest caution is necessary, when these learned men under- 
take to exercise their skill on the sacred text, yet I am of 
opinion, if used with prudence and a right spirit attended to, 
it may tend considerably to illustrate particular passages. I 
think this pious man has not only shown his profound know- 
ledge of the learned languages, but some of his observations 
are so pertinent and so judiciously made, as may have a 
tendency to produce spiritual reflection in the mind of the 
reader. 

5 mo. 24. — Having read with some attention Fleury's 
" Manners of the Israelites," by A. Clarke, I am convinced 
that even a slight knowledge of those ancient customs tends 
to facilitate the proper study of the sacred writings; for 
many of the metaphors so beautifully made use of by the 
prophets and apostles, and even our dear Kedeemer him- 
self, to convey a spiritual meaning, seem to have had an 
evident allusion to the antique manners and customs which 
I find explained in this little volume. 

The commotions referred to in the reflections which 
follow, were no doubt the great European war which 



JET. 26.] TEOUBLES OF THE TIMES. 17 

was then raging. Buonaparte, it may be remembered, 
was at that time making preparation for his Russian 
campaign, and a universal alarm prevailed as to the 
final result of his insatiable lust of conquest. 

5 mo. 7. — ^In viewing the commotions of the times, it has 
induced me seriously to consider the great importance of pro- 
curing, as far as ability may be afforded, a free access to the 
never-failing source of our help ; and in a little contemplating 
this subject I have been comforted in a hope that, if we only 
abide stedfast and immovable, He whom the waves of the sea 
obeyed will in his own time speak peace to the minds of his 
tossed ones, and a calm will ensue. 

The perusal of Elizabeth Smith's " Fragments " occa- 
sions him to remark how profitable it is to read the 
writings of others ; but he wisely adds : — 

I am often desirous not to rest satisfied with a bare perusal 
of these, believing they are only advantageous to us so far as 
they stimulate to a closer attention to that inward gift, which 
alone can enable us to witness the same experience. It is 
often a query with me, how am I spending this precious time, 
which passes so swiftly away never to return ? and, in order 
to answer this query aright, how desirable it is to dwell with 
thee, sweet solitude ! to turn inward, to examine and correct 
the defects of our own disordered minds ; how delightful it is 
to walk alone and contemplate the beautiful scenes of nature. 
Yet in these retired moments, when viewing the works of a 
divine hand springing up to answer the great end for which 
they were created, I am often deeply perplexed with a dis- 
tressing fear lest I should not be found coming forward faith- 
fully to answer the end of Him who has created man for the 
purpose of his o^\n glory. 

The meetings for the discipline of the Society were 
often times of spiritual refreshment to him. 



18 YORK QUARTERLY MEETING — DIARY. [1812. 

6 mo. 23. — I left home to attend our Quarterly Meeting at 
York. The meetings for business were generally satisfac- 
tory; on re-examining the answers to the queries, divers 
very weighty remarks were made. I thought the two meet- 
ings for worship favored seasons; and, although I left home 
with reluctance, I cannot but rejoice at having given up a 
little time to be made a partaker of the overflowing of that 
precious influence which, I trust, made glad the hearts of 
many present. 

The extracts which follow develope still further the 
progress of his inner life, and the secret preparation of 
the future preacher of the Gospel and overseer of the 
flock of Christ. 

6 mo. 29. — A deep-searching time at meeting yesterday, 
wherein I was given to see a little of my own unworthiness 
The secret breathings of my spirit were to the Father and 
fountain of life, that he might be pleased more and more t| 
redeem me from this corrupted state of human nature, and 
draw me by the powerful cords of his love into a nearer union 
with the pure spirit of the Gospel. 

7 mo. 6. — Thought an awful solemnity was the covering of 
our small gathering yesterday morning, under which I felt 
truly thankful to the Dispenser of every gift ; and was enabled 
to crave his assistance to maintain the watch with greater 
diligence, and pursue the ways of peace with alacrity of soul. 

29i;/i and SO th. — The General Meeting at Ackworth was 
large, and I thought very satisfactory through all its different 
sittings. The meeting for worship was a remarkable time ; 
the pure spring of gospel ministry seemed to flow, as from 
vessel to vessel, until it rose into such dominion as to declare 
the gracious presence of Him who is ever worthy to be 
honored and adored for thus condescending to own us on 
such important occasions. Iron is said to sharpen iron ; and 
I thought it was a little the case with me at this season, feel- 
ing very desirous to enjoy that within myself which I so much 
admire in others. 



iET. 26.] INTELLECTUAL THIRST. 19 

8 7)10. 13. — Many days have I gone mourning on my way, 
for what cause I know not ; but if I can only abide in patience 
till the day break and the shadows flee away, then I trust the 
King of righteousness will again appear. 

2bth. — In contemplating a little the character of that good 
man, ISTehemiah, I cannot but think it worthy our strictest 
imitation, when we consider the heartfelt concern he mani- 
fested for the welfare of his people, in saying, '' Come and let 
us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a re- 
proach." This proved him to be a man of a noble spirit and 
a disinterested mind, and, I say, worthy our strictest imitation ; 
for to what nobler purpose can we dedicate our time than in 
endeavoring to build up the broken places which are made in 
the walls of our Zion ? 

In the following entry is shoAvn a just insight into 
the nature of man, and a discernment of the uses and 
limits of human knowledge. Although John Yeardley's 
talents were not brilliant, and his opportunities were 
scanty, he possessed that intellectual thirst which can- 
not be slaked but at the fountain of knowledge. At 
the same time he was sensitively alive to the necessity 
of having all his pursuits, of whatever kind, kept within 
the golden measure of the Spirit of Truth. 

11 rao. 11. — ^In taking a view of some of the temporal 
objects to which my attention has of late been more particu- 
larly turned, with a desire to enlarge my ideas and improve 
my understanding in some of the more useful and extended 
branches of literature, it has excited in me a considerable 
degree of caution, lest thereby I should, in this my infant 
state of mind, too much exclude the operation of that pure 
in-speaking word which has undoubtedly a prior right to 
govern all my actions. But I have long been convinced that 
the active mind of man must have some object in pursuit to 
engage its attention when unemployed in the lawful concerns 
of life, otherwise it is apt to range at large in a boundless 



20 THOUGHTS ON ENTERING INTO BUSINESS. [1813. 

field of unprofitable thoughts and imaginations. I am aware 
that we may be seasonably employed in suitable conversation 
to mutual advantage, and I trust I am not altogether a 
stranger to the value of sweet retirement ; but there is a certain 
something in every mind which renders a change in the 
exercise of our natural faculties indispensable, in order to 
make us happy in ourselves and useful members of society ; 
and it is under these considerations that I am induced to 
apply a few of my leisure hours towards some degree of in- 
tellectual attainment, in the humble hope that I may be pre- 
served in that path which will procure at the hands of a wise 
Director that approbation which I greatly desire should mark 
all my steps. 

The next extract from the diary will find a response 
in the hearts of many who read these pages. 

1813. 2 mo. 17. — ^Never, surely, was any poor creature so 
weary of his weakness ! Almost in everything spiritual, and 
even useful, I have not only been as one forsaken, but it has 
seemed as though I was to be utterly cast off. When I have 
desired to feel after good, evil has never failed to present 
itself. O, when will He whose countenance has often made 
all within me glad, see meet to return and say, ''It is 
enough I" 

6 mo. 27. — The thoughts which he put into writing 
under this date seem to have been occasioned by enter- 
ing into business on his own account. 

Am now about to enter the busy scenes of life, which 
sinks me into the very depth of humility and fear, lest the 
concerns of an earthly nature should deprive me of my heav- 
enly crown, which I have so often desired to prefer even to 
life itself. But 0, should there remain any regard in the 
breast of the Father of mercies, for one who feels so unable 
to cope with the world, may he still be pleased to preserve me 
in his fear, and not only to take me under the shadow of his 



MT. 28.] DIARY. 21 

heavenly wing, but make me willing to abide under the 
guidance of his divine direction ! 

7 mo, 15. — ''Cause me not to return to the house of 
Jonathan the scribe, lest I die there." These words of our 
"weeping prophet have sensibly affected my heart this morn- 
ing, under a prevailing desire that my gracious Father may 
not permit me to remain as in the prison-house of worldly 
affairs, lest I die my spiritual death there. 

We shall see that he was not successful in business ; 
and it may be that the disappointments he experienced 
in this way were in some sort an answer to these ardent 
prayers to be kept from the spirit of the world. 

Under date 21st of the First Month, 1814, he writes: 

1 trust the few temporal disappointments I have met with 
of late have been conducive to my best interest, having had 
a tendency to turn my views from a too anxious pursuit after 
the things of time to a serious consideration of the very great 
importance of a more strict reliance on the never-failing arm 
of divine support, for the want of which I believe I have 
suffered unspeakable loss. 

About this time he had frequently to mourn over the 
difficulty of fixing his mind in meetings for worship. 
He often complains of "wandering in the unprofitable 
fields of vain imagination;" but sometimes also he bears 
a joyful testimony to the Lord's power in enabling him 
to unite in spirit with the living worshippers. 

The fear of man is one of the most universal of the 
besetments which try the faith of the Christian ; and it 
may be encouraging to some to see on this point the 
confession of one whose natural character was that of a 
strong and independent mind. 

2 mo. 6. — I am too a,pt to let in that slavish fear about 
men and things which renders me unable to cope with the 



22 VISITS FROM MINISTERING FRIENDS. [1814. 

world, and even unfits me for properly seeking after the 
assistance of my Maker. O, may He who sees my weak- 
ness enable me to overcome it! 

During the summer of this year, several parties of 
Friends travelling in the work of the ministry came 
to Burton ; Sarah Lamley of Tredington, with Ann 
Fairbank of Sheffield ; Ann Burgess (afterwards Ann 
Jones) ; Elizabeth Coggeshall from New York, with 
Mary JefFerys of Melksham; and John Kirkham of 
Earl's Colne. The labors of these Friends are recorded 
by John Yeardley with delight and thankfulness. He 
accompanied John Kirkham to Sheffield, where they 
found Stephen Grellett. 

How sweet it is, he remarks, to enjoy the company of 
these dedicated servants, whom their great Master seems to 
be sending to and fro to spread righteousness in the earth ! 
I often think it has a tendency to help one a little on the 
way towards the Land of Promise. "When I consider these 
favors, I am led to covet that a double portion of the spirit 
of the Elijahs may so rest on the EHshas that others may 
also be raised to fill up the honorable situations of those 
worthies, when they shall be removed from works to rewards. . 

But of all the above-named, the visit of Sarah Lamley 
and Ann Fairbank was for him by far the most memo- 
rable, and was the means of developing that precious 
gift of ministry to which he had been called from his 
youth. The extracts from his Diary which are given 
below speak of this visit, and most instructively describe 
the time and manner in which he first received his gift, 
as well as the weight which the approaching exercise of 
it brought upon his mind. 

5 mo. 27. — Sarah Lamley and Ann Fairbank lodged six 
nights with us, and I accompanied them to Dirtcar and 



^T. 28.] CALL TO THE MINISTEY. 23 

"Wakefield. I can acknowledge their innocent and agreeable 
company has been truly profitable to me, and has iinited me 
very closely to their spirits in tender sympathy. 

7 mo. 30. — Such a load of exercise prevails over my spirit, 
that it requires some extra exertion to support it with my 
usual cheerfulness of countenance. If I go into company, 
I find no satisfaction ; for I cannot appear pleasant in the 
society of my friends, feeling it irksome to discourse even on 
matters of common conversation. From the feelings which 
have attended my mind, it is evident that the cloud is at 
present resting on the tabernacle, and I never saw more need 
for me to abide in my tent. And that patience may have 
its perfect work ! for there is much to be done in the vine- 
yard of my own heart, before I can come to that state of 
usefulness which I believe the Great [Husbandman] designs 
for me. The secret language of my heart is. May his hand 
not spare nor his eye pity until he has subdued all in me 
which obstructs the progress of his divine work ! 

3l5^. — I trust I was once more favored, in meeting this 
morning, to put up my secret petition in humble sincerity to 
the Shepherd of Israel, that he would be graciously pleased 
to help my infirmities. In the afternoon meeting I thought 
the petition was measurably answered ; for towards the con- 
clusion the rays of divine light so overshadowed my mind as 
to induce a belief that I should be assisted to overcome that 
spirit of opposition which has too long existed to the detri- 
ment of my best interests, if there was only a willingness to 
abide under the forming hand. 

8 mo. 1. — I now feel freedom to give a short account how 
it was with me under this concern from its commencement 
down to the present time. 

I remember well, about the year 1804, when in my father's 
house at Blacker, once being in my chamber, in a very serious, 
thoughtful frame of mind, receiving an impression that if 
ever I came to receive the truth which I was then convinced 
of, to my everlasting benefit, I should have publicly to declare 
of the gracious dealings of Divine Goodness to my soul. The 
impression passed away with this remark deeply imprinted in 



24 CALL TO THE MINISTRY. [1814. 

my mind, that if ever a like concern should come to be ma- 
tured, I should date the first intimation of it from this time. 
I was apt to view it for a long time as the mere workings of 
the enemy on my mind, and when it has come before my 
view, I have often secretly said, *'Get thee behind me, I will 
not be tempted with such a thing." By these means I put it 
from me, as it were, by force, not thinking it worthy of notice 
and often praying to be delivered from such a gross delusion. 
At other times it would come with such weight on my spirit, 
that I could not avoid shedding tears, and acknowledging the 
power which accompanied the revival of so important a mat- 
ter; and was led to query, If there is no real intention of a 
heavenly nature, why am I thus harassed ? and the fervent 
sincerity in which I desired that the right thing might have 
place, and if it was wrong, that I might be enabled to find a 
release in His time who had appointed the conflict ! And I 
do believe, could I then have come at a perfect resignation to 
the divine will, I might have been brought forward in a way 
which would have afforded permanent relief to my own mind ; 
but such was my dislike to the work, that I suffered myself 
to be lulled into a state of unbelief as to the rectitude of the 
concern. 

Thus many outward circumstances transpired, and some 
years passed over, with my only viewing the matter at a dis- 
tance, until He who first laid the concern upon me was 
pleased to bring it more clearly home to me, and seemed 
at times to engage his servants, both in public and private, to 
speak very clearly to my condition. And although I had a 
concurring testimony in my own mind to their declarations, 
yet I had always an excuse to flee unto by secretly saying, It 
may be intended for some one else; until the Most High 
was graciously pleased, by the services of his sincere hand- 
maids, Sarah Lamley and Ann Fairbank, in their family 
visits to Friends of Barnsley, as mentioned last Fifth Month, 
to speak so clearly to my situation in their private oppor 
tunity with us, as to leave no room for excuse ; but I was 
forced to acknowledge. Thou art the man. Indeed, Sarah 
Lamley was led in such an extraordinary manner, that I had 



JST. 28.] CALL TO THE MINISTEY. 25 

no doubt at all but that she was favored with a clear and full 
sense of my state. She began by enumerating the many 
fears which attended the apostles in their various situations ; 
how that Satan had desired to have some of them that he 
might sift them as wheat in a sieve; ^^but," added she, "I 
have prayed for thee, Peter, that thy faith fail not, and when 
thou art converted strengthen thy brethren." And how it 
was with Moses when the Almighty appeared to him in a 
flame of fire in the bush, and that it was not until the Most 
High had condescended to answer all Moses' excuses that he 
was angry with him, and even then he condescended to let 
him have Aaron, his brother, to go with him for a spokes- 
man. Also how it was with Peter when the threefold charge 
was given him to feed the lambs and the sheep. ''It is not 
enough," said she, ''to acknowledge that we love the Lord, 
but there must be a manifesting of our love by doing whatso- 
ever he may command." Methinks I still hear her voice, 
saying, 'And that there may not be a pleading of excuses, 
Moses-like!" Thus was this valuable servant enabled to 
speak to my comfort and encouragement, which I trust I 
shall ever remember to advantage ; but that I may be 
resigned to wait the appointed time in watchful humility, 
patience, and fear ! for I find there is a danger of seeking too 
much after outward confirmations, and not having the atten- 
tion sufS-ciently fixed on the great Minister of ministers, who 
alone is both able and willing to direct the poor mind in this 
most important concern, and in his own time to say, "Arise, 
shine ; for thy light is come." 

12 mo. 22. — My poor mind has been so much enveloped in 
clouds of thick darkness for months past, that I have some- 
times been ready to conclude I shall never live to see brighter 
days. Should even this be the case I humbly hope ever to be 
preserved from accusing the just Judge of the earth of having 
dealt hardly with me, but acknowledge to the last that he 
has in mercy favored me abundantly with a portion of that 
light which is said to shine brighter and brighter unto the 
perfect day. 
3 



26 SPIRITUAL FRUIT FROM THE GARDEN. [1814. 

We shall leave for the next chapter the relation of his 
first offerings in the ministry, and conclude this with a 
striking passage which we find in the Diary for this year. 

John Yeardley was all his life very fond of the occu- 
pations of the garden. A small piece of ground was 
attached to his house at Barnsley, which he cultivated, 
and from which he was sometimes able to gather spiritual 
as well as natural fruit. 

Under date of the 22nd of the Seventh Month, he 
writes : — 

A very sublime idea came suddenly over my mind when in 
the garden this evening. It was introduced as I plucked a 
strawberry from a border on which I had bestowed much cul- 
tivation before it would produce anything ; but now, thought 
I, this is a little like reaping the fruit of my labor. As I 
thus ruminated on the produce of the strawberry -bank, I was 
struck with the thought of endless felicity, and the sweet 
reward it would produce for all our toils here below. My 
mind was instantly opened to such a glorious scene of divine 
good that I felt a resignation of heart to give up all for the 
enjoyment of [such a foretaste] of endless felicity. 



CHAPTER II. 

FROM HIS ENTRANCE ON THE MINISTRY IN 1815, TO HIS 
COMMISSION TO RESIDE IN GERMANY IN 1820. 

1815. — After the long season of depression through 
which John Yeardley passed, as described in the last 
chapter, the new year of 1815 dawned with brightness 
upon his mind. He now at length saw his spiritual 
bonds loosed ; and the extracts w^hich fglloAV describe his 
first offerings in the ministry in a simple and affecting 
manner. 

1 mo, 5. — The subject of the prophet's going down to the 
potter's house opened so clearly on my mind in meeting this 
morning that I thought I could almost have publicly declared 
it ; but not feeling that weight and certainty which I had 
apprehended should accompany the performance of such an 
important act, I was afraid of imparting that to others which 
might be intended only for my own instruction ; and so it has 
ended for the present. But I am thankful in hoping that I 
am come a little nearer to that state of resignation which was 
so beautifully exemplified by our great Pattern of all good, 
who when He desired the bitter cup might pass from Him, 
nevertheless added, " Not my will, but thine be done." And 
if I am at all acquainted with my inward feelings, I trust I 
can in some degree of sincerity say that my heart desires to 
rejoice more in the progress of this state of happy resignation, 
than at the increase of corn, wine, or oil. 

He first opened his mouth in religious testimony in 
the First Month of this year. The occurrence seems to 
have taken place in his own family; it yielded him a 
" precious sense of the Divine Presence." He began to 

(27) 



28 FIRST OFFERINGS IN THE MINISTRY. [1815. 

preach in public a few months later, but not without 
another struggle against the heavenly impulse. 

The friendship which Joseph Wood entertained for 
John Yeardley strengthened with revolving years. When 
he visited Barnsley, he was accustomed to lodge at his 
house; and writing to him in the year 1811, about a 
public meeting which he felt concerned to hold, he says, 
" I can with freedom write to thee, feeling that unity 
with thy spirit which preserves us near and dear to each 
other, and in which freedom runs." 

In the Fourth Month of this year, when Joseph 
Wood received a certificate to visit some of the midland 
counties, J. Y. felt desirous " of setting him a little on 
his way." 

On the 14th, he says, we went to Woodhonse, where we 
had a meeting, and my friend was enabled to speak very 
closely to the states of many present. When in the meeting, 
I felt a very weighty exercise to attend my mind with an inti- 
mation publicly to express it. But this exposure T dared not 
yield to, under an apprehension that it might be wrong in 
me, considering the occasion on which I had come out; but 
truly I left the place under a burden which I was scarcely 
able to bear. 

It was on the 20th of the Fourth Month that he 
began to speak in public as a minister of the Gospel. 
He thus records the event: — 

I felt myself in such a resigned frame of mind in our little 
week-day meeting, that I could not doubt the time was fully 
come for me to be relieved from that state of unspeakable 
oppression which my poor mind had been held in for so 
many years past. Soon after I took my seat, my mind be- 
came unusually calm, and the presence of the Most High 
seemed so to abound in my heart and spread over the meeting, 
that after some inward conflict I was unavoidably constrained 



^T. 29.] FIRST OFFERINGS IN THE MINISTRY. 29 

publicly to express it, in nearly the following words: "I 
think I have so sensibly felt the precious influence of divine 
love to overshadow our little gathering, that I have been 
ready to say, It is good for us to be here ; or I might rather 
say, It is good for us to feel ourselves under the precious 
influence of that protecting power which can alone preserve 
us from the snares of death." This first [ public] act of sub- 
mission to the divine will was done with as much stability 
of mind and body as I was capable of; and I thought the 
Friends present seemed sensible of my situation and sympa- 
thized with me under the exercise. I trust the sweet peace 
which I afterwards felt was a seal to my belief that I had 
been favored with divine compassion and approbation in the 
needful time. 

In the Fifth Month John Yeardley attended for the 
first time the Yearly Meeting in London. He describes 
the business as very various and instructive, but bewails 
his own condition as that of " one starving in the midst 
of every good thing." 

It seemed at times, he says, as though Satan himself was 
let loose upon me, and permitted to try my faith and patience 
to the utmost ; but I hope the conflict had its use in teaching 
me to know that it is not by might, nor by power, but by 
the Lord's Spirit, that we are enabled to prevail. 

This was the commencement of another season of 
spiritual poverty. In reading a few of his memoranda 
during this time, many a Christian traveller may see 
his own mourning countenance reflected as in a glass. 

11 mo. 8. — I have for a long time felt so depressed in spirit, 
and so inwardly stripped of every appearance of good, that I 
have often secretly had to say with tried Job, " that I were 
as in months past, as in the days when God preserved me !" 

16^/2. — Death and darkness are still the covering of my 
poor mind, and I am ashamed to acknowledge that I have for 



30 LIARY. [1815. 

months past sat meeting after meeting a victim to the bane- 
ful consequences of wandering thoughts, scarcely being able 
to recollect myself so much as to ask excuse of Him who sees 
in secret. In these times of deepest desertion I am selfish 
enough to feel a longing desire for a ray of light or a smile 
from the countenance of Him, under whose banner I have 
many times sat with the greatest delight in days that are 
past. 

0, how hard it is to regain divine favor when once sacri- 
ficed through the sorrowful act of disobedience ! may I 
sit as in dust and ashes, and, with the noble resignation 
and spirit of a true, dedicated follower, say, I will patiently 
bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned 
against him ! 

Nevertheless, even in his times of deepest humiliation, 
moments of heavenly comfort were interspersed. 

11 mo. 23. — A more improved meeting than I had reason 
to hope from cross occurrences, which are too apt to ruffle 
the unstable mind. During our silent sitting together, I was 
comforted in contemplating the many encouraging passages 
we have left on sacred record ; two of which, spoken by one 
of large experience, were particularly solacing to my exer- 
cised feelings : " Many are the afflictions of the righteous, 
but the Lord delivereth him out of them all;" and "The 
young lions do lack and suffer hunger, but they that seek 
the Lord shall not want any good thing." 0, thought I, if 
we could only procure Him on our side who has the thoughts 
of all men in his keeping, what should we have to fear ! We 
should then be brought to acknowledge that ;t behooves a 
Christian traveller to crave the assistance of Him who can 
enable us to suffer with becoming fortitude and resignation 
all the afflicting dispensations of life, rather than desire to be 
preserved from meeting them. 

The hard matter which is the subject of the next 
extract embodies a difificulty that has perplexed many. 



^T. 19.] INWARD AND OUTWARD TRIALS. 31 

It is always encouraging to find companionship in 
doubts and trials , and perhaps the consideration which 
pacified the mind of John Yeardley may be helpful to 
some who are tried in the same way. The passage, no 
doubt, has reference to his own want of better success 
in business. 

11 mo. 30. — When any circumstance in the common course 
of life, which has appeared to turn up in the direction of 
Divine Providence, has not answered my expectation, or on 
deliberate consideration it has not seemed prudent for me to 
step into it, I have sometimes felt greatly discouraged, and 
been ready to conclude, How could this thing be ordered 
under the direction of best wisdom ! But let me ever re- 
member. He who has his way in the whirlwind knows what 
is best for us ; and were it not for these incitements to an exer- 
cise of feeling, the mind would be apt to lie dormant, and not 
be preserved alive in a proper state to prove all things and 
hold fast that which is best. 

About the end of the year he was obliged to spend 
several days in London on business. The course of his 
afiairs seems to have been uneven, and the great city 
was probably uncongenial to his retired habits. He 
says : — 

12 mo. 15. — I do not remember that my feelings were ever 
more discouraging, both inwardly and outwardly. When the 
mind is ruffled about the things of time, it is hard work to 
make any progress towards the land of peace. I try to get 
to the well of water ; but truly it may be said I have nothing 
to draw with. 

Yet even under these circumstances his daily religious 
practices — those which no competitor for the meed of 
peace and the crown of glory can dispense with — were 
not without avail. 



82 INWARD AND OUTWARD TRIALS. [1816. 

16th. — In reading and retirement before I left mj room, I 
received a little hope that I should be preserved in a good 
degree of patience through the cross occurrences of the day, 
which was measurably the case. 

The life of a Christian is very much the history of 
outward and inward trials. How happy it is when 
these serve only to deepen his experience ! The nature 
of John Yeardley's spiritual trials has been fully shown : 
his temporal crosses have also been glanced at; they 
consisted mainly of want of success in business, in which, 
indeed, he was little fitted to excel, under the keen com- 
petition of modern times. 

1816. 1 mo. 4. — A new year has commenced, but the old 
afflictions are still continued, both inwardly and outwardly ; 
for even in temporal affairs disappointments rage high. But 
O what a privilege to sink down to the anchor-hope of di- 
vine support ! This is what I can feelingly acknowledge this 
evening to be as a brook by the way to refresh my poor and 
long-distressed mind. 0, how ardently do I desire that this 
season of adversity may be sanctified to me for everlasting 
good, and prove the means of slaying that will in me, which 
has too long been opposed to the will of Him who paid the 
ransom for my soul with nothing less than the price of his 
own precious blood. 

The difficulty of making his w^ay in the commercial 
world increased until the risk of " failure began to 
stare him in the face." The fear of such a result sank 
him exceedingly low ; but through all he was permitted 
to keep his footing upon the rock, and to behold a spir- 
itual blessing under the guise of temporal adversity. 

7th. — Surely it is a mark of divine favor to feel the 
supporting hand of my heavenly Father underneath, to bear 
up my drooping spirits in this time of adversity. I think I 
was never more sensible of his powerful arm being made 



^T. 30.] DIARY. 83 

bare for mj deliverance ; and yet, unaccountable to tell, I 
am almost afraid to trust in bim. 0, my soul, wberefore 
dost tbou doubt, wben tbou feelest tbe glorious presence of 
tby Eedeemer's countenance to sbine upon tbee ? 

In tbe meeting tbis morning, be continues, my mind was 
profitably exercised in contemplating tbe following subject. 
Wben our dear Lord was about to perform tbe miracle 
of feeding tbe multitude, be commanded tbem to sit down 
upon tbe grass. Tbey were undoubtedly bungry, and tbis 
migbt create in tbem too great an anxiety to be satisfied in 
tbeir own time ; but tbat all tbings migbt be done in order, 
and witbout interruption, tbey were commanded to sit down 
and wait tbe disposal of tbeir food from tbe bountiful band of 
tbeir great Master. In looking at tbe subject, I tbougbtit. 
a lively representation of tbe state of mind we ougbt to labor 
after, wben favored to feel bunger and tbirst after rigbteous- 
ness ; not frustrating tbe design of tbe Most Higb by being 
too anxious to be filled in our own will and way, but 
patiently waiting tbe time of Him wbo givetb to all tbeir 
meat in due season, and tbat wbicb is most convenient for 
tbem. And wbat greater privilege could we desire tban to 
be fed at tbe Lord's table ? 

^th. — As my precious wife and I were consoling eacb otber 
tbis evening, sbe remarked tbat tbe dispensation we were 
now suffering under was probably in answer to our prayers. 
Tbis brougbt strikingly to my remembrance a secret peti- 
tion wbicb I bave frequently put up in tbe most fervent 
manner I bave been capable of, wben deeply lamenting my 
unsubjected will ; I bave even cried out aloud, " O make me 
willing ; do. Lord, make me willing, make me willing !" 

O tben may I submit to tbe means, if for tbis end tbey are 
appointed, and resign my all, body, soul and spirit, into tbe 
bands of Him wbo gave tbem ; and may I patiently endure 
tbe swelling of Jordan in a manner tbat will enable me to 
bring from tbe bottom, stones of everlasting memorial. 

After this he was led for a while by the Good Shep- 
herd into the green pastures and beside the still waters. 



84 EARLY OFFERINGS IN" THE MINISTRY. [1816. 

1st mo. 15. — Our Monthly Meeting at Wakefield, and a 
heavenly meeting it was. 

29th. — I left home for a journey into the north on business. 
I had many precious seasons of retirement as I rode along, 
and I humbly trust my soul has been enabled to cultivate a 
more intimate acquaintance with her Beloved, in such a way 
as will not easily be erased from my remembrance. 

Notwithstanding the deep and varied experience he 
had passed through, his unwillingness to expose himself 
as a preacher of the gospel was still strong, and some- 
times obstructed the performance of his duty. 

8 7no. 20. — Joseph Wood had a public meeting at Pilley. 
I felt something on my spirit to communicate to the people 
in the early part, but thinking the meeting was not suffi- 
ciently settled to receive it, I reasoned away the right 
time; another did not offer during the whole meeting for 
me to relieve my poor mind, so I brought my burden home 
with me, which indeed proved such as I really thought I 
should have sunk under. 

The "severe stripes," as he terms it, which he 
received on this occasion at length produced a willing 
mind. 

9 mo. 10. — I went with my dear wife to attend the burial 
of my cousin Joseph Watts at Woodhouse, and was at the 
meeting there on Fourth-day the 11th. It was largely 
attended by relations and friends. I felt so sensibly the 
danger that some present were in of trifling away the reproofs 
of conviction, that I could not forbear reviving the language 
which was proclaimed to the Prophet Jonah, when he had 
fled from the presence of the Lord and was fallen asleep in 
the ship, '•' What meanest thou, sleeper, arise, call upon 
thy God." After commenting a little on the subject, I sat 
down under great solemnity which seemed to cover the 
meeting, and I can thankfully say the fruit of obedience was 
sweet to my taste. 



-ST. 80.] EARLY OFFERINGS IN THE MINISTRY. 85 

12 mo. 1. — Went to meeting this morning witH a fearful 
apprehension lest I should have to expose myself in that 
which is so contrary to my natural inclination. And so it 
proved ; for I had not sat long, before I was made willing to 
express what rested weightily on my mind, and that was 
the case of Gideon, when the angel appeared to him under 
the oak as he threshed wheat. I commented a little on the 
subject, which afforded me great satisfaction and joy. 

In the following entry, notwithstanding the tardy 
obedience which it records, we find his commission as 
one of the Lord's watchmen sealed upon his mind. 

1817. 4 mo. 7. In meeting yesterday morning I was 
enabled publicly to relieve myself of a httle matter which 
had been a burden on my mind for two or three meetings 
past, in which I had felt pretty smartly the rod which is held 
over the head of the disobedient. In this instance, human 
nature seemed stubborn in a double degree, but after it was 
over I felt my peace flow as a river. Methinks I now hear 
this language proclaimed in the secret of my heart : I have 
made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel ; therefore 
hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. 
O what an important charge! May I duly consider the 
weight of it, and so watch over my own conduct, in thought, 
word and action, that I may not be pulling down with one 
hand that which I may be endeavoring to build up with the 
other. If I am to be an instrument in the hand of the Al- 
mighty, may he graciously condescend to prepare and sharpen 
the arrows he may see meet to shoot through the medium of 
his poor servant, so that they may sink deep, wound the 
hypocrite, and comfort the pure divine life in the hearts of his 
children. 

A few weeks after this, John Yeardley attended a 
remarkable meeting held by Joseph Wood, in which 
they were made to sit in heavenly places in Christ 
Jesus. 



86 CONTEMPLATES A CHANGE OF RESIDENCE. [1817- 

4 mo. 29. — I attended another public meeting appointed 
by J. W. at Middletown, about ten miles from here. When 
I entered the town I felt very flat, and was ready to say, The 
fear of the Lord is not in this place; but after the meeting 
was gathered, I soon found what poor creatures we are, to 
judge of these things without waiting for best direction ; for 
I think it was the most extraordinary time I ever knew. My 
friend bore a long and powerful testimony, to the tendering 
of many present. If I ever forget it while in my natural 
senses, I fear I shall be near losing my habitation in the 
truth; for it was as if heaven opened, and the Most High 
poured down his blessed Spirit in an unbounded degree. 

All this time his business aiFairs went on more and 
more adversely; and although he never failed punc- 
tually to meet all his money engagements, his want of 
success led in this year to a change of residence to 
Bentham. 

Three months before he left Barnsley he writes : — 

" Surely there is a vein for the silver, and a place for gold 
where they fine it." Pecuniary difficulties seem as if they 
would eat up every green thing ; but I hope and trust that 
He who has often said, Peace, be still, will so regulate the 
heat of the furnace that I may be able to bear it with 
becoming patience, until there be nothing left in me but 
what resembles the pure gold fit for the Master's use. When 
I reflect on what my poor mind has passed through for more 
than two years past, I am convinced nothing short of that 
Arm which brought the Israelites through the Ked Sea could 
have supported me. And 0, should he ever loose my bands, 
that I may serve Him freely, may I never forget the many 
covenants made with Him who has so often heard and 
answered my prayer when in deep distress ! 

Through the assistance of some of his Barnsley friends, 
an offer was made to him of a situation in a flax-spinning 
mill at Bentham, which was then or had lately been the 



MT, 81.] LETTER TO HIS WIFE. 87 

property of Charles Parker, a minister in the Society of 
Friends. He accepted the offer ; and an extract from 
a letter to his wife, when on a journey, will show the 
motives under which he acted in this important step. 

Hawkshead, 6 mo. 28, 1817. 

My vert precious dear, 

When I wrote thee last, my time and feelings would not 
permit me to say much on our impending prospect of leaving 
Barnsley; but since then this very important subject has 
obtained my most serious and weighty consideration, and I 
am now free to communicate to thee my feelings, in order 
that thou mayest weigh them duly and compare them with 
thy own while we are separated. In the first place, in taking 
such a step, we must be reconciled to sacrifice our present 
comfortable home, our relations and friends — in short, all 
that may seem near and dear to us as to the outward. With 
respect to our spiritual prospect, I must confess, if any service 
is designed for me in the Church militant, I have sometimes 
apprehended it might be within the compass of our present 
Particular and Monthly Meetings ; but should this be ordered 
otherwise in best wisdom, I trust I shall be relieved from the 
oppressive feeling, and in a short time see my way clear. On 
the other hand, if this change takes place, we have a proba- 
bility of a comfortable living, and of being relieved from the 
extreme anxiety attendant on trade, when the whole respon- 
sibility rests on our own shoulders. 

H. R. [one of the firm who had offered to employ him] 
seemed rather desirous for me to come. If we should agree, 
he wants me to go over directly to lay down plans for a few 
weavers' houses, and to make other arrangements to save 
time until we could remove. 

I don't much like the situation of the house in the town, 
but I think another might be had if required. They have 
a nice one in Low Bentham, with a good garden attached, 
which would be at liberty in next Fifth Month ; this would 
be a pleasant walk from the mill by the water-side all the 



S8 REMOVAL TO BENTHAM. [1817. 

way, whicTi might be useful to my healtH after being confined 
in the warehouse, and much nearer to the meeting. It is a 
very small meeting indeed ; there are only about two female 
Friends ; but, should we be in the right place, the smallness 
of the number would not preclude our access to the divine 
spring. 

I don't know how we shall come on with the thread trade, 
but it seems as if we were to be done out with both thread 
and linens, for there is scarcely any thing selling with me on 
this journey. 

John Yeardley and his wife removed to Bentham in 
the Eighth Month, 1817. Bentham is a considerable 
village on the north-west border of Yorkshire, a few 
miles from the foot of Ingleborough ; and it was at that 
time, according to the division of the county adopted 
by the Society of Friends, comprised in the Monthly 
Meeting of Settle. 

After a season of deep spiritual poverty, during 
which he found no place for the exercise of his gift, 
John Yeardley began to speak in ministry in the little 
meeting to which he now belonged. On recording the 
circumstance he remarks : — 

Thus does a gracious Father lead on his children step by 
step, baptizing them first into one state and then into an- 
other, in order to qualify them to drop a word in season for 
the comfort of others. Little did I think under the recent 
buffetings of the Enemy, that I should ever have had to open 
my mouth again in the way of declaring the everlasting good- 
ness of a gracious Eedeemer. 

This memorandum was made a few days after the 
occurrence to which it refers, on his return from Settle 
Monthly Meeting, and is accompanied by the record of 
a fresh unfolding to his mental eye of the need of gospel 
laborers, and of his own vocation to the work. 



-ST. 31.] ON THE NATURE OF THE MINISTEY. 39 

In my return I had rather an unusual opening into the 
state of society, and the great want of laborers therein ; and 
querying with myself, By whom shall the Lord send? I 
thought I felt the weight and power of the everlasting gospel 
upon me to preach, so that I was willing to say, Here am I ; 
send me. the importance of this language ! May the same 
Spirit which I trust raised it in my heart preserve me in every 
state to the end of time ! Amen. 

The extract which follows treats of the same subject, 
— the calling and exercise of the ministry. From this, 
and from the whole tenor of what has been extracted 
from the Diary, will be seen in what his ministry con- 
sisted, and what was the call and the power which was 
required in every successive exercise of it. May it serve 
as a word of caution and instruction to such as are dis- 
posed to reduce this heavenly gift to a mere effort of 
Christian good- will, or to consider the exercise of it as 
placed, whether in regard to time or subject, at the dis- 
posal of the minister. It will be observed how John 
Yeardley, in after life so abundant in word and doctrine, 
and so catholic in his ideas and sympathies, received his 
vocation as a divine gift immediately from above, and 
served in it an apprenticeship altogether spiritual, and 
apart from human learning or instruction. 

10 nrm. 26. — I have been very much instructed to-day in 
reading and reflecting on the 37th chapter of Ezekiel. When 
the prophet was asked if the dry bones could live, he was 
wise enough cautiously to answer, "O Lord God, thou 
knowest;" but when he was commanded to prophesy unto 
them, and say, "0 ye dry bones, hear the word of the 
Lord," this was hard work, yet there was no conferring with 
flesh and blood. No reasoning from probabilities, nothing 
but an implicit faith and dependence on the divine power 
which was then upon him, could have enabled him to 



40 ON LEAVING BARXSLEY. [1818. 

do it. what an instructive lesson ! When the poor in- 
struments may feel so weak and the state of things so low, 
that there may not be the least probability of good arising, it 
is enough if they can only do the will of their great Master, 
and be enabled to say with the holy prophet, '' I prophesied 
as the Lord commanded." 

John Yeardley did not take his actual farewell of 
Barnsley until the end df the year. The reflections 
which he has recorded on leaving his home of so many 
years are very characteristic of the man: — 

1818. 1 mo. — The Twelfth Month was spent at Barnsley 
in settling my affairs. Just before I left Bentham for that 
purpose, I was exceedingly unhappy at the idea of leaving 
my home, friends, &c. at Barnsley, and thought the parting 
feeling Avould be almost more than I could support. I was 
enabled to pray fervently to the Father of spirits, that he 
would be pleased to afford me strength to bear the change 
with Christian fortitude, and resign all to the disposal of his 
divine will ; and thankful I am to relate, he so answered my 
request that I could leave the place to which I had been so 
long attached without a sigh. T have no doubt my removal 
without consulting more of my friends, will appear strange 
to many. This I could never feel liberty to do ; nor could I 
make any person living acquainted with my entire motive, 
but my precious wife. Whatever may ]?e the opinion of 
others, this is a matter which rests between me and my God ; 
and I often think it a favor that we are not accountable to 
man, who views too much the outside appearance, while He 
with whom we have to do looks at the heart. 

After I had left Barnsley I went to Pontefract, to spend a 
few days with my friends there, where my poor lass had been 
for a week. I don't know that this time was unprofitably 
spent; but this I know — it never requires more care and 
watchfulness to be preserved in a seasonable frame of spirit 
than when the mind is set at ease to enjoy the company of a 



^T. 32.] VISIT FROM HANNAH FIELD. 41 

few intimate friends. We are too apt to get our tliouglits dis- 
sipated, and thus our conversation becomes less seasoned with 
grace than it would be if the girdle of truth were kept tightly 
bound. 

The next entry notices a remarkable interview which 
he had with a woman Friend from America : — 

Idih. — This day a meeting has been held at the desire of 
Hannah Field from North America. I stepped down to see 
her at J. Stordy's ; and in the few minutes we were together, 
before she took leave, she addressed herself to me in a very 
feeling manner. Although she was an entire stranger, she 
spoke so pointedly to my state of mind, and expressed the 
reward of faithfulness in such encouraging terms, that my feel- 
ings were in nowise able to resist the power which attended, 
but I was forced to acknowledge it as a nail fastened in a sure 
place. 

Amongst some letters addressed by Elizabeth Yeardley 
to Susanna Harvey of Barnsley, is one in which mention 
is made of the visit of Hannah Field to Bentham ; and, 
although the passage does not relate to the private in- 
terview described above, it is interesting as the reminis- 
cence of a remarkable woman. 

Bentliam, 2 mo. 2, 1818. 
We have been favored lately with a visit, unexpected but 
highly acceptable, from that great minister, Hannah Field, 
from America. She very much resembles Sarah Lamley; 
and when she began, it seemed as if one had been informing 
her of the state of the meeting. Her discourse began with 
the parable of the Ten Yirgins, which was very beautiful but 
awful. Addressing herself again, she was very consolatory 
and affecting. She is tall and inclined to embonpoint; her age 
fifty-three. 

In the Third Month of this year, the Monthly Meet- 
4 



42 IS RECORDED AS A MINISTER. [1818. 

ing from which he had recently removed, that of Ponte- 
fract, recorded its approval of his ministry. It is not 
usual for meetings to do this in the case of one who 
has gone to reside elsewhere. The practice at that 
time was, in Yorkshire at least, in issuing a certificate 
of removal for a Friend who had begun to exercise the 
ministry and was still under probation, to notice the fact 
of his preaching, without pronouncing a judgment upon 
it. But when the usual document of removal was asked 
for at the Monthly Meeting, on behalf of John Yeardley, 
the meeting paused upon the words which noticed his 
offerings in the ministry, and solemnly resolved then and 
there to give him a full certificate as a minister in unity, 
and to "recommend him as such to the Quarterly 
Meeting." It happened that men and women Friends 
were together, the latter remaining whilst Joseph Wood 
laid a concern for some religious service before the joint 
meeting. 

John Yeardley remarks on this act of his late Monthly 
Meeting : — 

^The concurrence of mj friends with my small offermgs 
cannot but feel comfortable and encouraging to a poor timor- 
ous creature like me ; but the awful consideration of ranking 
among the servants who speak in the Lord's name humbles 
me to the dust. Surely those who are designed to minister 
before the Lord in his holy temple ought to bear the in- 
scription of holiness upon them. The means by which this 
inscription is obtained is so painful to flesh and blood that 
we are always ready to shrink from the operation. When we 
have borne the furnace heated to a certain degree, we are 
ready to fancy nothing but pure gold remains; until the 
refining hand sees meet to administer fresh [trials], then we 
are ready again to cry out. If it be thy will, let this cup 
pass by. 



JET. 32.] VISIT FROM JOSEPH WOOD. 43 

In the Sixth Month he joined Joseph Wood and 
WilHam Midgley of Eochdale, in \dsiting some neigh- 
boring meetings. Of Kendal, which was one, he says it 
appeared to him " as if a remarkable revival was taking 
place in those parts;" and he concludes his short ac- 
count of the journey with an acknowledgment of the 
, satisfaction he felt in having given up to this Uttle 
service. 

Joseph Wood in his diary relates the same visit more 
at large. We have extracted the account of that portion 
of it in which John Yeardley was engaged, and believe 
the reader will find it interesting in several respects. 

1818. 6 mo, 10. — Beached my beloved friend John Yeard- 
ley's house, in Bentham, about half-past eight o'clock, .where 
we took up our quarters, and where we were favored with a 
renewed feeling of that love which had many times nearly 
united our spirits together. 

On the 11th we spent this day very comfortably with these 
long-beloved and truly valuable friends, and in the evening 
had a public meeting appointed for Friends and people of 
other societies in their meeting-house in Bentham, about a 
mile and a half from their house. We walked thither, it 
being very pleasant through the fields. The meeting began 
at half-past six, and held two hours and a quarter. A pretty 
many who usually attend meetings, and a great concourse of 
people of other societies, attended, so that the meeting-house, 
both above and below stairs, was well filled, and several were 
in the passage and in an adjoining room. A precious solem- 
nity mercifully overshadowed us, whereby the minds of many 
were prepared to receive what the Lord was pleased instru- 
mentally to communicate to the many different states ; and 
that they may individually profit thereby ! for sure it was a 
time of favor unto many. I had a very long testimony to 
bear therein, first from Isaiah Iviii. 1, 2. John Yeardley held 
a pretty long time next, from John ii. 4. I next, from 1 Cor. 
xiv. 19. 



44 VISIT TO KENDAL. [1818. 

On the 12th we set out for Wray in Lancashire, five miles, 
John Yeardley being our guide, taking his wife and Ann 
Stordy along with him in a taxed cart. We had a very plea- 
sant ride thither, down a beautiful valley, through which the 
river Wenning runs ; had on our right hand a line view of 
Hornby Castle, now in part gone to decay. Got to Wray 
about half-past ten, and went to the meeting, which began at 
eleven o'clock. Twenty-three persons attended, one of whom 
appeared to be of another society. I sat therein for a con- 
siderable time in a very low state, and feeling a concern to 
stand up, I gave up, although in great weakness: different 
states opened and were spoken to in the authority of the gos- 
pel ; and I had a long testimony to bear from Luke xv. 8. 
John Yeardley had a pretty long time next, from Lam. iii. 26 ; 
afterwards I was concerned in prayer, and felt truly thankful 
for the renewed mark of divine favor, and secretly rejoiced 
that my lot was cast here. 

On the 13th John Yeardley accompanied Joseph 
Wood to Kendal. 

It was with difficulty, says J. W., we got into the town for 
the crowd of people ; the Parliament being dissolved, and a 
ncAV election of members about to take place ; and there being 
an oppostion in this county ; Henry Brougham, the favorite 
candidate of the people, against the Lonsdales. They were 
waiting his arrival in the town to canvass for votes. After tea 
I went to Thomas Wilson's ; his house was nearly opposite the 
inn where Henry Brougham put up. AVhen he arrived the 
populace took his horses from the carriage, and hurried him 
into the town, and to the inn, four flags flying and a band of 
music went before him. After he alighted he went into an 
upper room, and addressed the largest multitude of people 
that I ever saw collected, from the window, for about an hour, 
in a very impressive manner ; and so great was the crowd in 
the street that many fainted. All Avas quiet, and, after he had 
done, they separated in a becoming manner. 

On the 14th we attended their meetings in Kendal. The 



iET. 82.] AND LANCASTER. 45 

forenoon meeting began at ten o'clock. It is large, and was 
pretty open and satisfactory. I had a long testimony to bear 
therein, first, from John xv. 14. John Yeardley had a pretty 
long time next. He opened from these words : " O thou, the 
God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, manifest thyself that 
thou yet reignest in Israel." I next, from Proverbs ix. 12. 

After visiting several other meetings, Joseph Wood 
came to Lancaster, where he was again met by John 
Yeardley. 

On the 21st we attended both their meetings in Lancaster. 
The forenoon meeting began at ten o'clock. When we got 
there we were agreeably surprised to find dear John Yeardley, 
who had walked this morning fifteen miles to meet us. The 
meeting was large of Friends, and it proved a time of renewed 
visitation unto many who were afar offj and of encouragement 
to those who were nigh. I had a very long testimony to 
bear therein, from Matt. xxii. 12. John Yeardley had a 
short but very acceptable time next, from Esther iv. 14. Af- 
terwards I was concerned in prayer. 

Elizabeth Yeardley speaks of this visit in one of her 
letters : — 

J. Y. went to Lancaster, though the day was unfavorable. 
He trudged on foot to meet Joseph Wood, and got in good 
time for the meeting, fifteen miles distant, and returned home 
the same evening. J. W. was very much favored all the 
time he was in those parts ; he really appears endowed with 
astonishing powers. 

The same letter affords a glimpse of the social posi- 
tion which John and Elizabeth Yeardley occupied at 
Bentham : — 

We are very quiet, have kind neighbors, a very pleasant 
habitation, and little society, plenty of books both of the 
religious and amusing kind, and leisure to meditate on the 



46 BENTHAM. [1819. 

one thing needful, which is to fit us for that place to which 
we are fast hastening : — 

' For who the longest lease enjoy 
Have told us with a sigh, 
That to be born seems little more 
Than to begin to die." 

(13th of Seventh Month, 1818.) 

John Yeardley, no less than his wife, found in 
Bentham a seasonable retreat from the harassing cares 
of the world. A memorandum made in the autumn of 
this year shows that the doubts with which he was 
perplexed on the subject of his removal from Barnsley, 
were entirely dispelled, and that the change in his abode 
and position had been the happy means of relieving him 
from the load of anxiety which once seemed ready to 
crush him. 

1819. 9 mo. 15. — The tender, merciful Father who shelters 
our heads in battle has covered mine when many things were 
hot upon me. He has provided a retreat for me until the 
fury of the oppressor be overpast. I have often wondered at 
the cause which drove me from my former residence, but I 
now begin to see pointedly the hand of Providence bringing 
me to this place of quiet retreat. Should He who has brought 
me thus far see it to be for my good to set me on the banks 
of deliverance, may I have no desire to live for anything but 
to sing his praise 1 

After being recognised by the Church as a minister, 
he was again tried with a season of spiritual desertion ; 
and this phase in his religious history, with his reflec- 
tions upon it, and the holy resolution and hope with 
which he concludes, may be useful in strengthening the 
faith of others under similar circumstances. 

10 ma. 4. — what a stripping time have I had since I 
wrote last I My pen would fail to set forth the inward deser- 



MT. 33.] ON THE MINISTRY. 47 

tion I have experienced for months past, so that my poor 
mind is almost worn out with waiting and watching in the 
absence of the Bridegroom of souls. My enemy seems to 
have set up his throne in me, and leads my wandering 
thoughts captive at his pleasure. I have no weapons of my 
own to fight him with, and it seems as if Infinite Goodness 
had refused me the grant of that armor which I have before 
experienced* the means of putting my adversary to flight. 
For what end this may be I know not, but the suffering time 
is hard to the natural part. If I am left to perish, may it 
be in praying, trusting and believing in my Redeemer's love ! 
and if I am not suffered to behold again the brightness of his 
glorious countenance here on earth, may I be favored with 
it shining on me in heaven ! 

At the commencement of this year, 1819, apprehend- 
ing himself required to pay a religious visit to the fa- 
milies of Friends in Barnsley, he consulted Joseph Wood 
on the subject, who encouraged him " not to be afraid 
to pursue" the path v^^hich had been opened before him. 
In relation to this prospect of service, J. Y. has the fol- 
lowing pertinent remarks on the ministry : — 

2 mo. 19. — If I am suffered to go, may the humble spirit 
of Jesus go with me, and put a word in my heart that may 
prove as a sword in my hand, with which I may fight his 
battles ! This is the only way in which his servants can 
minister so as to reach the witness in the hearts of his chil- 
dren. We might speak on subjects which might seem right 
and fit in themselves, but it is as our hearts come to be acted 
upon immediately by the Spirit of truth, the same principle 
which prepares us to utter sound words, prepares also a coun- 
terpart in the minds of others to receive them. Thus it may 
be said we become 07ie in spirit and truly edified together in 
the love of the Gospel. 

In order to perform the visit, J. Y. had, in the good 



48 VISIT TO BARNSLEY [1819. 

order in use amongst Friends, to receive the concurrence 
of his Monthly Meeting. 

3 mo. 10. — Was at the Monthly Meeting, where I mentioned 
to my friends my prospect of visiting Barnsley, and obtained 
their sympathetic concurrence, with a copy of a minute ex- 
pressing their full unity and approbation. 

My feelings on the occasion were very different from what 
I had anticipated. A divine solemnity appeared so to cover 
the minds of all present, that the enemy was trodden under 
foot, and not a fear was suffered to approach. What conde- 
scending goodness of a tender Father to his weak children ! 

Some interesting notice of this service, and of the 
journey which he made to perform it, is contained in 
his Diary. 

IZth. — The evening before T set off, I was earnestly engaged 
in supplicating for divine protection both inward and out- 
ward ; and an assurance was given me that it should be 
granted, and in a manner so clear as I had no right to expect. 
These words were as if spoken distinctly in my outward ears : 
*' A hair of thy head shall not be hurt." In the confidence 
of this promise I went forth, and found it mercifully made 
good ; for though I was overturned in the mail on the road, 
a hair of my head was not hurt, and not so much as a fear 
was suffered to come near. 

On the 18th, after visiting all the families, he attended 
the Week-day Meeting, where he had to review his 
labors, and to address the assembled Friends " nearly 
in these words: — In the course of my little proceed- 
ings among my friends in this place, I have sometimes 
been baptized for the dead, while at other times I have 
been made to rejoice in the resurrection of life : I hope 
this is a language my friends will understand." After 
this he preached to them on the case of Nicodemus, 



^T. 33.] VISIT TO BARNSLEY. 49 

saying that there may be a time when our Heavenly 
Father, in his tender compassion for our infant state, 
permits us to come to Jesus by night or in secret ; yet 
when he is pleased to say, " Arise, shine, for thy light is 
come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee," 
danger will betide us if we then flinch from an 
open confession. Some time after he had finished, a 
woman Friend rose and uttered a few words. She had 
never before been able to overcome the force of her 
natural fears. 

In noticing this circumstance, J. Y. says he does so 
because, before he went to Barnsley, he asked that if his 
small services were acceptable, the Most High would 
give him a sign, by owning his labors with his sensible 
approbation, and making him an instrument to help 
forward his work in the hearts of his children. 

On another occasion, in allusion to a similar occur- 
rence, he has the following reflections: — 

'' The Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after 
"wisdom ; but we preach Christ crucified." I am Hke the two 
former, because I dare even to ask a sign and to seek after 
wisdom; but to be like the latter is what I covet most 
sincerely — to preach Christ crucified, not only in words, but 
in life and conversation. If I err in sometimes asking a sign, 
I trust it will be forgiven, because it is done in the simplicity 
of my heart, to know my Father's will, and we have examples 
of this having been granted to the worthies in times of old. 
—(12 mo. 8.) 

In the Twelfth Month of 1819, John Yeardley 
attended the Quarterly Meeting at York, and had some 
religious service on the way. His account of this little 
journey is preceded by some instructive reflections on 
his own infirmities and lack of ready obedience. 



50 JOURNEY TO YORK. [1819. 

9 mo. 15. — I feel exceedingly discouraged at my own obsti- 
nacy in not keeping mor.e humble, watchful, and attentive to 
the inward monitor. I am sensible loss is sustained in a 
religious sense by giving way too much to an airy dispo- 
sition. 

12 mo. 12. — When I consider the many years which have 
elapsed since I first enlisted under the Lord's banner, I find 
cause deeply to reproach myself for want of a more early and 
implicit obedience to the divine will; the want of which, I 
fully believe, has been the means of plunging me into seas of 
trouble and years of perplexity. I fear the time lost will 
never be redeemed. 0, should I ever have to warn others 
to beware of the rock on which I have split, surely it may be 
done through heartfelt experience indeed ! And as the glo- 
rious light of the sun begins mercifully to verge from under 
the cloud, 0, may I never, never forget the sacred covenant 
made in the days of my deep distress, that if the Lord would 
loosen my bonds, then would I serve him freely. 

2oth. — I went to Thornton to E. W.'s, and next day to 
Lothersdale Meeting, accompanied by D. W. and some other 
part of E. "W.'s family. The forepart of that meeting was 
very trying, at which I did not wonder, if we might judge 
from a previous feeling ; for ever since the prospect of this 
little visit presented to my view, I felt a load on my spirit 
which I could not by any means cast off. On entering the 
place, I thought, when our dear Lord sent forth his disciples, 
he commanded them to take neither purse nor scrip ; and 
that if this state of poverty of spirit was any badge of dis- 
ci pleship, some of us might claim to wear it. The language 
of the weeping prophet came also before me — '' that my 
head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I 
might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of 
my people." It was hard work for me, a poor stripling, to 
have to intimate such close things ; but the conclusion was 
easier to the natural part, I having to address a few to whom 
the language seemed to go forth, of " Mary, the Master is 
come, and calleth for thee." 

I went from thence to the Quarterly Meeting at York, 



^T. 84.] LETTER TO THOMAS YEARDLEY. 51 

whicli was tTiinly attended. Tlie meeting for worship seemed 
a cloudy season ; however a little matter impressed mj mind 
whicli I was thankful in being enabled to get rid of, though 
hard to flesh and blood, it being the first time my voice has 
been heard in this Quarterly Meeting in ministry. The meet- 
ing for business was long and tedious, being protracted four 
and a half days by an appeal. It was disagreeable in its 
nature, but was conducted in a way to afford information 
and instruction to the minute observer of men, manners and 
things. 

1820. — Our first extract from this year's diary con- 
tains a short but beautiful reflection : — 

2 mo. 18. — ^I am convinced it would be better for us to live 
more in the inward spirit of prayer ; we should live in nearer 
union with the Father of love ; receive more of his heavenly 
embraces ; the heart would be prepared to know more of his 
holy will, and receive power to perform it. 

When John Yeardley left Barnsley he commenced a 
correspondence with his brother Thomas, which lasted 
until the death of the latter. J. Y.'s letters have been 
preserved, and supply us with much that is valuable in 
his character and Christian experience. The following 
extract shows the power of sympathy which he possessed 
towards those with whom he was entirely intimate : — 

4 mo. 24, 1820. 

Thy affectionate letter I received with pleasure, though 
some parts of its contents penetrated the deepest recesses of 
my heart, and excited in me every tender sympathetic feeling 
of a brother and a friend. 

I rejoice that thou hast found freedom to speak so candidly 
the undisguised language of thy heart ; to me it seems like a 
voice from the dead, because I conceive it to be the voice of 
that awakened principle in thee which, as in many others, 
may have been held too long in captivity through the predomi- 



62 LETTER TO THOMAS YEARDLEY. [1820. 

nance of the surfeiting cares of the world. "Whenever thou 
inclinest to unbosom to me thou mayest do it with freedom 
and in confidence, for, be assured, if thy complaints cannot 
meet with relief, they will at least meet with a welcome 
reception and a heartfelt condolence; for I could have no 
claim to the least of the Christian virtues, if I were destitute 
of a feeling regard for the sufferings of a friend, and espe- 
cially a brother. 

A few months afterwards he was again called upon 
deeply to sympathise with his brother. The occasion 
this time was the perplexity in matters of business in 
which Thomas Yeardley was involved. He expressed 
his feelings in a letter in which he not only gives the 
soundest Christian counsel, but also shows how he 
was himself indebted to the same maxims for the pre- 
servation of his honor and of his spiritual life and use- 
fulness. The firm and practical manner in which the 
subject is treated render his remarks of permanent 
value. 

Bentham, 8 mo. 7, 1820. 

My DEAR Brother, 

Thy affectionate letter of the 24th I have received, and 
need not tell thee how sensibly I am concerned for thy pre- 
sent situation. 

I do hope thou wilt not lose sight of the object thou hast 
now in view, to get relieved in some way from the excessive 
load of business which presses upon thee, for we can none of 
us carry fire in our bosoms too long without being burnt. 
We shall not be justified in the sight of Him with whom we 
have to do, if we do not endeavor to place ourselves in such 
a situation as will best answer the end for which he has de- 
signed us. It would convict us of a very weak and erroneous 
idea of a Supreme Being, to suppose that he could not or 
would not prosper our endeavors with equal success in a 
more restricted way of trade, when our motives are purely to 



^T. 34.] LETTER TO THO:VIAS YEARDLEY. 53 

serve Hm faitlifullj. Surely, He who cares for the sparrows 
will not suffer y.s to fall to the ground without his notice. 

Thou wilt be ready to say it is an easy matter to speak of 
these things on paper; but believe me, my dear brother, 
I know a little of what I say. There was a time when I was 
as extensively engaged in business, according to my means, 
as you are now. I have had large sums of acceptances to 
provide for, with nothing towards them but what was in the 
uncertainty of the drapers' hands. "When I have set out on a 
journey I have had to take the distressing fear along with me, 
that if I failed of getting in almost every shilling that was 
due to me, I failed in paying my acceptances. Add to this, 
the painful prospect of losing my property until I could not 
pay my just debts, and then mention a situation which would 
place an honest mind in a greater degree of perplexity. ! 
bad it not been for the preserving hand of my gracious 
Eedeemer, I had never lifted up my head above the waters 
which were ready to overwhelm me. In the midst of all 
this I received a firm conviction, that if I wound up as 
speedily as circumstances would admit, I should measurably 
be safe ; but if I suffered the impression to pass away disre- 
garded, I might be hurled along with the stream and never 
more be able to recover myself. It seemed as if my eye 
was fixed on a star which shone quite on the other side of 
the [waters] ; and I was thus enabled to wade through, 
without knowing what course to take when I got to the 
other side. I do not mention this as beins^ in the whole 
applicable to thy case; but as a fellow Christian traveller 
towards the celestial city, I earnestly intreat thee, in the love 
of the gospel, never to consider thyself on a level, or at 
liberty to act in full scope, with the man of business, who 
thinks himself created to pursue the things of time without 
being responsible to his Creator for endeavoring to reach a 
situation in life which would enable him to prepare for 
eternity. Thou wilt not be long at a loss w^hat to do if thou 
dost not overlook the secret motive in thy own breast. Do 
not grieve at losing a little of what thou hast ; it will come 
again, if for the best, and may bring the double reward of 
peace. If thou attendest to that directing Hand which bas 



54 VISIT TO A SICK PERSON. [1820. 

hitherto preserved thee as a monnment of thj Heavenly 
Father's mercy, thy victory is already sure, though thou 
mayst not know it. It is not for the best, consequently not 
permitted, that we should always see our way. Were this 
the case there would be no exercise of faith. The servant of 
the prophet was blind as to the power which preserved them, 
when he saw a host of the enemy encamped against them : 
he cried out, ''Alas, my master, how shall we do!" But 
his master answered, "Fear not; for they that be with us 
are more than they that be with them ;" and the prophet 
prayed that the young man might be made to see. And 
when his eyes were opened, what did he see ? Why, he saw 
the mountain fall of horses and chariots of fire round about 
them. The Lord's chosen people are continually encircled 
with these chariots of fire, otherwise it would not be possible 
to be so mercifully preserved from harm. Should it be 
insinuated to thee that thou art not of this chosen race, let 
me tell thee, we become children of the Most High as soon 
as he has raised in us a desire to serve him, and we become 
willing to abide under his protecting wing whatever changes 
may take place in our own feelings during the operation of 
his holy hand upon us. 

Nothing is more important in the life of a Christian 
than the manner in which he turns to account the 
opportunities for serving his Lord which continually 
spring up before him. 

6 mo. 23. — Going last evening to Wenington, to repeat 
my French lesson, my friends there asked me to call with 
them on a sick person ; feeling quite free to do so, I went 
with them. On sitting quietly by the bedside, a little matter 
came before me, which was communicated from these words : 
" Affliction cometh not forth of the dust." 

On my return home, I could not but reflect on the neces- 
sity of having our bow strung, and being always alive to the 
interest of souls, and endeavoring to imitate the example of 
our great Master, whose whole life was employed in continu- 
ally going up and down doing good. 



CHAPTEK III. 

FROM HIS COMMISSION TO .RESIDE ABROAD IN 1820 TO HIS 
REMOVAL TO GERMANY IN 1822. 

In 1822 John Yeardley went to reside in Germany. 
As his residence abroad constituted one of the most 
remarkable turns in his life, and exercised a powerful 
influence on the rest of his career, we shall develop as 
fiilly as we are able the motives by which he was in- 
duced to leave his native country. By means of his 
Diary we can trace the early appearance and growth, if 
not the origin, of the strong Christian sympathy he 
ever afterwards manifested with seeking souls in the 
nations on the continent of Europe, and especially 
amongst the German people. 

The first hint concerning his desire to go abroad is 
contained in the account of a dream, under date of the 
2nd of the Mnth Month, 1818, regarding which he felt 
much disappointed, because he could not recollect the 
names of the places in Germany about which he had in 
his dream been interested. The next year (the 19th 
of the Fifth Month) he had a second dream on the same 
subject, in which he supposed his friend Joseph Wood 
was about to go on a religious mission to the Continent, 
and he brought out his Atlas to find the places for him. 
On being asked if he meant to accompany him, he said 
he " was not prepared to answer at present." In the 
relation of a third dream, which he had the next year 
(the 25th of the Eighth Month, 1820), the locahty 
to which his mind was attracted is first indicated. 

(55) 



56 DREAMS. [1820. 

" Pyrmont and Minden," he says, " rested very closely 
with me, and to them I felt bound." 

It might not have been worth while to have made 
allusion to these dreams, which ought perhaps to be 
regarded rather as the continuation or echo of hia 
waking thoughts than as their original source, but for 
the deep importance which John Yeardley himself at- 
tached to them. He considered that by them was first 
made known to him the divine will respecting his future 
course ; and that his longing desire to recover the name 
of the forgotten locality of the first dream was answered 
in the last. It can admit of little doubt that the same 
conviction of their more than common significance, which 
led him to cherish as sacred the remembrance of these 
night-visions, helped to form and sustain his resolution 
in carrying out the project with which he connected 
them. 

Just before the occurrence of the last dream, his faith 
in the heavenly source of the invitation which, whether 
waking or sleeping, he had received, to go over and help 
his Christian brethren on the Continent, was confirmed 
by a prophetic message from John Kirkham, who, in 
the course of his religious travels, again visited York- 
shire. 

8 mo. — Our dear friend, John Kirkham, from Earl's Colne, 
Essex, slept at our house on Second-day, the 7th, and had a 
meeting with our few on Third-day. How wonderfully was 
he enlarged ; and I could not but admire how he was favored 
to speak to the states of some present. I could set my seal 
to every word he uttered, and say. This is the very truth. 
Before he left us he had a select opportunity in our family, 
and said a great deal about being faithful to our own vision. 
He seemed to answer a question in my mind as fully as I had 
any right to expect ; for I had almost asked it as a sign that 



JET. 34.] COMMISSION TO EESIDE ABEOAD. 57 

if I were not deceived in my vision tie should be led to speak 
on tlie subject. He said emphatically, " We cannot be faith- 
ful to the vision of another man, we do not know it except it 
be revealed to us ; but we must be faithful to ouk own 

VISION." 

On the 9th I accompanied him to the Monthly Meeting at 
Settle, and I once more desired that, if my feeling in former 
times had not deceived me, this servant of the Lord might be 
led to speak on the same subject ; and indeed he scarcely said 
anything else but what had the strongest bearing on my re- 
quest. What encouraging favors do I receive at the hands 
of so good a Master ! 

A few months later we find the charge to foreign 
labor renewed, with an intimation of the wide field in 
which he would have to work ; an intimation which was 
amply verified in his future travels. 

11 mo. 26. — At meeting something involuntarily entered 
my mind like this, I will make thee a preacher of righteous- 
ness to many nations. I felt not only a desire to be made 
willing to be sent, but also a desire to be prepared. 

A few days after noting this impression he thus com- 
munes with himself on this topic, which now began to 
absorb the greater portion of his thoughts. 

12 mo. 3, First-day. — As I walked alone to the meeting 
this morning, I thought within myself. What can be the 
cause that I so often feel drawn in spirit towards the land of 
? My thoughts have now for a long time past so fre- 
quently and so involuntarily revolved on the subject that I 
begin to be very jealous over them, and to query whether it is 
the workings of self-imaginations. If this is the case, that 
I may be relieved from them. But however unaccountable 
my feelings may be, a secret love towards some unknown 
souls in is so strong at times, that if I had wings I 

should for my own inward peace visit them in body as I now 
5 



58 PROSPECT OF SERVICE ABROAD. [1820. 

do in spirit. It seems as if m}^ spiritual eye saw in those 
parts what we may call a seed (the seed of the kingdom sown 
in the heart) that wants to take root downwards and spring 
upwards, but which is almost choked with the tares of super- 
stition. Are there not scattered up and down in • , many 

whose souls are verging from under the clouds of thick dark- 
ness, and from under the bonds of idolatrous superstition, 
towards that glorious liberty which is brought to light by the 
gospel ? Something in me secretly craves an opportunity to 
tell those precious creatures that the time appears near at 
hand Avhen this glorious gospel light will shine so clearly that 
they will discover a Saviour in the secret of their own hearts ; 
'and it is to him (I could tell them) that they must look for 
the perfection of their salvation. Should there be anything 
of the right savor in my heart concerning this matter, I 
humbly hope that in due time it will be brought to maturity, 
and my Avay made plain and easy — plain, so that I cannot 
possibly mistake the pointing hand of divine wisdom, and 
easy, so that when I hear the command I may be enabled to 
obey. 

A very instructive time at meeting. The subject above- 
mentioned glanced in my view, and with it the never-failing 
objection, If I am at all ''apt to teach," can it or will it be 
required of me to leave those here and others in this land 
who have need of instruction ? This objection was immedi- 
ately answered in a way which I never before experienced. 
They have, besides many teachers, the unerring light of Jesus 
in their own hearts unto which they know they ought alone 
to look for direction. And if they neglect or overlook the 
means in themselves, it is not in my power, a poor instrument, 
to do them any good. So it may be said of others to whom 
I may apprehend myself called. It all revolves on this single 
and important point, — "What is the divine will concerning me ? 
If I can only know this and am enabled to do it, all will 
be well. 

In the Autumn he attended Liverpool Quarterly 
Meeting, an occasion which was one of the most memo- 



MT. 34.] LIVERPOOL QUARTERLY MEETING. 59 

rable seasons of his life. His narrative of it is very 
characteristic : — 

9 mo. 19. — My dear wife and I left home to attend 
Liverpool Quarterly Meeting. Through mercy wc arrived 
safe there, but I, as usual when from home, felt very low 
and poor in spirit, and was ready to call in question my 
coming to the place. For although I received, as I thought, 
a proper signal before I left home, yet one or two circum- 
stances occurred to discourage me from going, which I 
pressed through with some firmness ; however, such was my 
uneasiness the first night in Liverpool, that I was very desir- 
ous, if my being there was in right wisdom, something 
might turn up to convince me that I had not done wrong in 
leaving home. And blessed be the name of Jesus, I had not 
been long in the first meeting (their Monthly Meeting the 
day before the Quarterly,) before I was perfectly satisfied. 
There were present Willett Hicks and Huldah Sears from 
America, and Mary Watson from Ireland. In the early part 
of the meeting my mind was engaged in meditating on — 
^^God will enlarge Japhet and dwell in the tents of Shem," 
and so it proved. The silence was broken by W. Hicks with 
these words : " Great men are not always wise, neither do 
the ancients understand wisdom." Others present were 
much favored, and the meeting ended in heavenly har- 
mony. 

After it was over I found to my surprise and joy, my 
brother and sister from Barnsley, whom I had expected to 
come to Bentham to accompany us to Liverpool, and their 
not coming to Bentham first w.as one of the causes which had 
discouraged me in leaving home ; for I once had concluded, 
in my wavering, to leave my going for their determination, 
thinking if they came it would be the means of getting me ofl*, 
if not, I should give it up ; but it so fell out that they took 
the nearest way to meet us there, without writing us word, 
and it would have been a great disappointment had I not 
been there. I should not have written so much about a 
seeming trifle but to show the necessity of firmness in 



60 LIVERPOOL QUARTERLY MEETING. [1820. 

doing what is pointed out, unless some reasonable cause 
prevents. 

Now to the opening of the Quarterly Meeting for worship, 
which was like /the day of Pentecost, when the place was 
filled with a rushing mighty wind from heaven. The first 
stream of ministry flowed again through W. H., who appeared 
from these words: ''In the last day, that great day of the 
feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying. If any man thirst, let him 
come unto me and drink." It was indeed applicable ; for all 
seemed athirst, and were invited and admitted to drink of 
the waters of life freely ; those who were afar off drew nigh, 
and those who were near were enabled to acknowledge the 
might of Him who had called them to his footstool, and 
crowned them with his presence. Huldah Sears and Mary 
Watson were also much favored in testimony. What opened 
on my mind to express was this: ''God speaketh once, yea, 
twice ; yet man perceiveth it not." I thought we Avere bound 
to acknowledge that our God still reigned in Israel, and was 
condescending to speak to his people. Immediately after- 
wards M. E. appeared a long time in supplication, and then 
H. S. both very powerfully ; so that goodness seemed to rise 
higher and higher, until we swam in divine life. This blessed, 
heavenly meeting will be remembered by some to the latest 
period of time. 

After this event John Yeardley speaks of being 
favored with more enlargement of love towards the 
members of his small meeting ; and also of having, 
when attending a public meeting at Wray with Joseph 
Wood, to kneel down in prayer for the congregation. 

10 mo. 20. — To my humbling admiration, he writes, I had 
in the conclusion to kneel down and call on the name of the 
holy and high God of the whole earth, that he would be 
pleased to continue the blessing which he had already con- 
descended to pour down on our heads. This is a most awful 
act of worship : I trust the intimation to it was attended with 
proper weightiness of spirit. 



iET. 34.] PUBLIC MEETING AT WRAY. 61 

This meeting was a remarkable season, and is thus 
described in Joseph Wood's journal : — 

Bmtham, 10 mo. 20. — We [J. W. and James Harrison] set 
out for Wray, our beloved friend John Yeardley being our 
guide. We called by the way at Thomas Barrow's, of Wen- 
ington Hall, and drank tea ; then proceeded to Wray. There 
were but few Friends here, but they have a very large ancient 
meeting-house, and my concern being principally towards 
the inhabitants, and proper information thereof being given, 
abundance attended ; the meeting-house both above and below 
stairs was pretty well filled; and their behavior was de- 
serving of commendation. The Lord's presence eminently 
crowned the assembly, and the truths of the gospel were 
largely and livingly declared amongst them, and it was a 
time of extraordinary favor to many. I had first a long 
testimony to bear therein, from Luke iv. 41. A pretty long 
time of silence then ensued, and great was the solemnity 
which appeared to cover the assembly. After which John 
Yeardley stood up and said. Some were ready to say there 
was no worship without words, but from the precious solem- 
nity which he believed had covered many minds since the 
former communication, he was ready to conclude many were 
feelingly convinced to the contrary. He was then pretty 
largely led forth in opening the advantage of silently waiting 
upon Grod. I a pretty long time next, from Isaiah liv. 11, 13. 
James Harrison next, from Matt. xiii. 44. John Yeardley was 
next concerned in prayer. The meeting held about two hours 
and a half 

21st. — About the middle of the day my companion (J. H.) 
called upon me, and betwixt twelve and one o'clock we left 
here for Lancaster, Thomas Barrow being our guide, and his 
wife, Charlotte Russell, and Emma Hodgson, accompanying 
us. Emma Hodgson is the daughter of a clergyman of Roch- 
dale : she had been some time on a visit at Thomas Barrow's 
and went with the family to the meeting at Bentham when 
we were there, and was much reached and tendered therein ; 
and attending the meeting at Wray last evening she de- 



62 DIARY. [1820. 

clared after lier return that slie was fully convinced of the 
truth. 

E-eturning to John Yeardley's diary for this year, we 
find some passages from which profitable instruction 
may be gathered. 

11 mo, 8 was the Monthly Meeting at Settle ; my dear love 
and I both attended. To me it was a poor low season; if 
there were any good, I was too much like the heath in the 
desert, — I knew not when it came. In addition to this, it felt 
as if I had to mourn over the barren state of some others. O, 
how I dread the state of a lukewarm Quaker! May I ever be 
preserved from this sorrowful state of a lukewarm Quaker ! 
I believe it is often the means of bringing a damp over our 
solemn assemblies. 

12 mo. 7. — Query. "What is the most likely means for me to 
adopt to approach nearer to holiness? Ansicer. To spend 
more time in retirement silently to wait upon God. The more 
conversant I am with him, the more I shall know of his will 
and receive power to do the same. To do the will of the 
Almighty is the way to perfect holiness. The nearer acquaint- 
ance we cultivate with him, the stronger will become the ties 
of his affection. The more devoted we are to him, the more 
confidence will he repose in us. 

Catching then a glimpse of the glorious calling of 
the Gospel minister, he breaks forth in the following 
strain : — 

If I am ambitious in anything on earth, it is to be emi- 
nently useful in His cause. I can say with the wise man, I 
ask neither riches nor honor, except the honor which cometh 
from doing the will of God ; but I do ask for '' an understand- 
ing heart." I trust I can say in the deepest sincerity that 
I could renounce, if they were in my power, the riches and 
honor of ten thousand earthly worlds in purchase of a double 
portion of that holy unction which rested on Elisha's spirit. 



iET. 34.] ILLNESS OF HIS WIFE. 63 

These are bold sayings, but my Saviour tells me that as 
there is no limitation to his goodness to grant, so there 
is no limitation in asking of him for the gift of his Holy 
Spirit. But then what manner of man ought this to be 
on whom shall be conferred such great honor ! Surely it 
must be left to Himself to prepare the vessel before he pours 
in the oil. 

We have already made an extract from the diary of 
the 3rd of the Twelfth Month in connection with John 
Yeardley's call to visit Germany. The same diary sup- 
pHes us with the description of a spiritual opening for 
the benefit of others with which he was favored in the 
same meeting. 

In my minute for First-day last I mentioned its being an 
instructive meeting to me. Towards the conclusion a simile 
of this kind arose and spread before my view : As wax when 
melted by the fire or the candle is then only capable of re- 
ceiving the impression of the stamp put upon it, so also are 
our minds only capable of receiving impressions of divine 
good when our spirits are melted and contrited before the 
Lord. As these seasons are not at our command^ it appeared 
to me to be of the highest importance for us to endeavor to 
preserve and improve them as the best means of testifying 
our gratitude to the great Donor. The impression which, the 
above contemplation made on my spirit proved like a morsel 
of bread to my soul, which I found I could not conceal, 
though I struggled hard to eat it alone, it seeming so insig- 
nificant to hand to others ; but at length I gave up, and felt it 
to be a time wherein some among the few present were melted 
as wax before the fire, and had a portion of divine goodness 
afresh imprinted on their minds ; and my spirit craved that 
they might not prove as "the morning cloud and as the early 
dew that goeth away." 

On the 7th of the Twelfth Month Ehzabeth Yeardley 
was suddenly prostrated by an alarming attack of illness, 



64 ON THE MINISTRY. [1820. 

from which, however, she soon raUied, though she never 
entirely regained her previous state of health. Possibly 
her husband alludes to this afflictive occurrence in the 
following memorandum : — 

12 mo. 10. — How varied is our passing along in this vale 
of tears! First-day last was a day of brightness, and this 
day has been one of comparative death and darkness. I 
have been made to know something of the saying recorded 
by the prophet, — ''Who is among you that feareth the 
Lord," &c., ''that walketh in darkness and hath no light." 
This has appeared to be my portion this day, and I find it 
hard work to "trust in the name of the Lord and stay upon 
my God." 

Some further remarks in his diary for this day turn 
upon the subject of the ministry, and the passage he 
quotes shows how deep and heart-searching is the work 
of preparation for an enlarged and effectual gospel min- 
istry, whatever be the denomination among men to which 
the preacher belongs: — 

In the course of reading the life of Mary Fletcher I find 
much deep instruction and encouragement. Many of her re- 
marks have proved like a goad to spur me on in the way of 
holiness. An extract made by her from Dr. Doddridge's life 
aptly speaks the language of my heart, when in my silent 
breathing to the Almighty I am led to crave an enlargement 
of my gift in spiritual things : — 

" There must be an enlargement of soul before any remarka- 
ble success on others ; and a great diligence in prayer and 
strict watchfulness over my own soul previous to any re- 
markable and habitual enlargement in my ministry; and 
deep humiliation must precede both." 

1821. — The first entry in the diary of this year turns 
upon the ever-present subject of his going abroad, and 



^T. 35.] SELF-EXAMIN-ATION. . 65 

is penned under feelings of the deepest solemnity. It is 
followed the next day by another on the great duty of 
self-examination. 

1 mo. 2. This day I have felt singularly impressed with a 
desire to be more devoted to my Maker. I believe it is his 
will that I should be more given up to serve him ; and if 
spared with life and strength, my few remaining days must 
be spent in his cause. A presentiment of this kind has for 
some time past prevailed with me ; and from the calm, awful, 
and weighty manner in which it is at times brought over my 
spirit, I am induced to think it cannot be the mere phantom 
of the imagination. The prospect of a temporary residence 

on the seems rather to increase than otherwise. How 

it may terminate, or the time when to move, is yet uncertain 
to me. O, how the prospect humbles me ! I trust I can, 
in some degree say, with the good old patriarch, that his Grod 
shall be my God, and if He will only give me bread to eat 
and raiment to pat on, I desire to serve him. 

1 mo. 8. — This day I am thirty -five years old. "Whether I 
may be spared as many more, or whether I may only survive 
as many months, weeks, days or hours, as I have now lived 
years, is altogether in the breast of Him who has hitherto 
preserved me as a monument of his mercy. How awful the 
consideration ! To think that we may be called to give an 
account at any hour of the day, and not frequently to examine 
the state of affairs between us and our God, is complete 
infatuation. Strange as it may seem, as it regards myself 
I stand condemned. I am sensible sufficient attention is not 
paid to the important work of self-examination. that this 
fresh year may produce fresh vigilance ! 

In the Second Month, Ann Jones, accompanied by 
her husband and Isabel Richardson, visited Bentham 
on a rehgious mission. Ann Jones had much service, 
both in public and private. What she had to declare to 
John Yeardley in particular was very remarkable, and 



d6 . JOURNEY TO LEEDS, [1821. 

reminded him of the discourse of Sarah Lamley in 1814. 
He says ; — 

She said a good deal which so struck home to my feelings, 
that I have not been so deeply reached in the same manner 
since dear Sarah Lamley visited families at Barnsley. {^Letter 
to his brother) 

In the Third Month he found it to be his duty to 
attend some meetings of Friends in going and returning 
from the Quarterly Meeting at Leeds. In his diary of 
the 14th of the Third Month he speaks of making the 
necessary application to the Monthly Meeting for its 
sanction, and, in that and some succeeding entries, 
records his feelings on the occasion, and the help which 
he received by the way. 

This was new work to me ; how T was humbled before I 
could be made willing to mention my concern to my friends ! 
which was done in such a faltering manner that I believe 
many sympathized with me. When I had received the 
meeting's approbation, I was thoughtful how I should get 
most conveniently on my way. After our meeting I received 
a letter from dear S. S., saying that he had felt a prayer raised 
in his heart, that I might be helped in my undertaking by 
Him from whom best help comes, and that he was most easy 
to propose accompanying me on my way in his gig. A very 
agreeable companion he proved to be, and for this little act 
of dedication he shall not lose his reward. 

I left home on First day, the 25th, for Newton, over the 
Fells. There fell much rain the day before, which swelled 
the waters so that my wife and I .became very thoughtful 
how I should get over the river to ISTewton, over which there 
is no bridge. I thought that should I be favored to get 
over safe and dry I would take it as a sign for good in the 
journey ; and so it was in mercy granted ; for when I came 
to the water-side, I met a man on horseback who let me ride 
his horse over. This was in a wild part of the country, with 



^T. 85.] NEWTON— LOTHEKSDALE — SKIPTON. 67 

not a house near. Simple as this may appear to some, I 
could not but acknowledge in it a providence for which I was 
thankful. 

At Newton, where I expected to meet only three or four, 
more assembled than the larger end of the house would hold. 
I was met by dear D. W. from Stockton ; I could not but 
think we looked like two poor striplings before a great army. 
I should have sunk under my fears, had I not been enabled 
to get down to that Power which can bear up above the fear 
of man. 

In the afternoon I went to Thornton, and sat down with 
the family. This was a precious season, and it felt doubly 
so from our having been on the barren mountains, both lite- 
rally and spiritually. 

I went next morning, accompanied by D. W., to Lothers- 
dale. This was also a good meeting : I had reason to believe 
the Grod whom I was endeavoring to serve had answered my 
prayer in sending his angel before to prepare the way ; I 
seemed almost borne off my feet by the power of Divine 
love. 

We dined at S. S.'s ; and after dinner I could not quit the 
room without expressing what I felt towards him, which 
melted us all into tears. S. S. joined me, and we went to 
Skipton to be at the meeting at five o'clock. Before we 
came there I felt such a sense of poverty that it seemed as 
if my spiritual life was going to be taken from me ; and even 
when I got to meeting, the same feeling remained, which in- 
troduced my spirit into a state of suffering not easily to be 
conceived. On our sitting down I felt there was something 
on the mind of S. S., and I feared lest, by suffering the rea- 
soner to prevail, he should be unfaithful; but he expressed 
a few words which seemed as the key to the treasury. 

I went that evening to Addingham, and had a meeting 
next morning, where I sensibly found a little strength : we 
seemed to sit under our own vine and fig-tree, where none 
could make us afraid. We lodged and dined at our kind 
friend J. Smith's, in whose family I had something given to 
me to minister. 



68 DEATH OF JOSEPH WOOD. [1821. 

From A(Jdingham they went to the Quarterly fleet- 
ing at Leeds, where John Yeardley received intelKgence 
of the sudden decease of his beloved friend Joseph Wood. 
J. W. had been engaged in testimony and supplication 
in the meeting at Highflatts on First-day morning, and 
was taken unwell during the evening, and died in a few 
hours. After the Quarterly Meeting John Yeardley 
went to attend the interment, and on his way had a 
meeting with the Friends at Barnsley. 

It was, he says, a favored time, and we were humbled 
and instructed together. We went to Highflatts to tea; 
when I got to the place where the remains of my dear friend 
were laid, I stood silently by the coffin in tears, saying in 
spirit, If it be thy mantle I am designed to wear, may I re- 
ceive it with humility, reverence and fear! This feeling 
awfully impressed my mind, because my dear friend had said 
more than once to me. If I have any place in the body, I 
bequeath it to thee. The meeting was very large and was a 
precious season ; the occasion on which we were met seemed 
to give wings to our spirits to fly upwards. 

This spring Elizabeth Yeardley's disorder began to 
assume a serious form. A short memorandum from 
her hand discloses in a touching manner her state, both 
physical and spiritual. 

3 mo. 29. — " Eegard not distant events : this uneasiness 
about the future is in opposition to the grace received." This 
sentence from my old favorite, Fenelon, was much blest to 
my spirit this evening, when I had foolishly been thinking 
about future sufferings. 0, sufficient for the day is the evil 
thereof. Perhaps a few rolling suns may, through the merits 
and mercies of my Lord, see this poor worm translated to his 
Paradise. 

The first direct allusion to anxiety on her account 



^T 35.] ILLNESS. 69 

which appears in her husband's diary bears date the 
5th of the Fifth Month. Her debiUtated state seems to 
have been the cause of their deferring to a future day 
their contemplated removal to Germany, which was 
otherwise to have taken place about this time. 

In the summer of this year he was himself laid for 
some weeks upon a bed of sickness, with a complaint 
of the stomach. He viewed this time of suffering 
as profitable in assisting his resolution to undertake 
the religious mission to which his mind was still con- 
tinually directed. In a letter to Thomas Yeardley, of 
the 1st of the Ninth Month, he says, "Such is my 
stubborn will that I am not to be effectually pleaded with, 
until I am brought down into the valley of Jehosha- 
phat, or judgment." His wife, who was too ill to leave 
her chamber, has a memorandum respecting her hus- 
band's illness, under date of the 29th of the Eighth 
Month. It seems to have been the last which her pen 
ever traced. 

Since I wrote, my dear husband has had an awful attack ; 
but the Lord has again been merciful in restoring him to ease 
once more. Yesterday (may the Lord enable us to keep 
covenant) we laid our Isaac on the altar. 0, to be wholly 
our kind, our Heavenly Master's, who cares to provide for us, 
for soul and body ; who takes nothing from us but what he 
knows would harm us, and gives us a hundred-fold of that 
which is good in lieu. 

Prior to this time John Yeardley had not confided 
to his brother the thought which so long had occupied 
his mind. In the letter just referred to he speaks of 
it as " an important concern which had long been the 
companion of his secret thoughts by day and his visions 
by night," and says : — 



70 LETTER TO THOMAS YEARDLEY. [1821. 

It now seems to be approaching so near a state of maturity 
that I feel freedom to communicate it to thee. 

For about three years past I have had an increasing appre- 
hension that it would be required of me to tal^e up a temporary 
residence among those who profess with Friends on the other 
side of the water, particularly with the few in the neighbor- 
hood of Miuden and Pyrmont, and probably at some time 
with those in the South of France. But my visit is likely to 
be paid in a way different from any that have been made before. 
I have never seen that the nature of my concern would require 
any document from the Quarterly or Yearly Meetings ; neither 
do I think it would answer my present views ; because the 
secret language of my heart has been for many months past, 
^' Go dwell among them, go dwell with them." 

I should be in want of some employment, and the first 
thing that presents to my view is to offer my services to a 
few of my friends in the yarn and flax trade; articles which 
are largely imported into Yorkshire, and which seem to be 
the natural production of the country, within the circle where 
I should be likely to reside. 

His brother's answer to this letter was most consoling 
and encouraging: in reference to it he says, it seemed 
with him as it was with Peter in the prison, when the 
angel smote him and the irons fell off. 

And 0, he adds, that I may be willing, now that a little 
light begins to shine, to gird myself, bind on my sandals, cast 
my garment about me, and follow my Lord, thinking no 
hardship too much to endure for so good a Master. {Diary, 
9 mo. 21.) 

Although in reality not far from her end, his wife's 
state had not as yet excited immediate alarm. On the 
23rd of the Ninth Month J. Y. wTites : — 

My precious E. Y. is yet so weak that there is a proba- 
bility of its being an obstacle in the way of our removal ; but 



^T. 85.] HIS wife's illness. 71 

there is this consolation, — if the work be of the Lord he will 
not frustrate his own design ; if it be not his doing we must 
submit to have the whole overturned. 

In a few days he became aware of her critical state. 

9 mo. 29. — The indisposition of my dear wife has taken 
such an alarming turn that I yesterday began to have serious 
apprehensions as to the issue. I have watched with her 
night and day, and my prayers have been unceasing for her 
restoration, I trust not without a due reverence to the divine 
will. But I did not feel as though nature could give her up 
until yesterday, when as I stood retired by the bed-side of 
my dear lamb, endeavoring to feel after resignation, I gave 
her up as fully as human nature, through divine aid, was 
capable of. Then it sprang in" my heart, Where is the man 
that can offer up an Isaac ? He shall go for me, and I will 
send him. There seems a spark of hope that even now, when 
the knife is lifted up, the voice may yet be heard, — "Lay not 
thy hand upon the lad, for now I know that thou fearest me." 

My precious dear has been to me in my late exercise a 
never-failing instrument of strength, comfort, and encourage- 
ment : in general her faith has been much stronger than my 
own. Should it please Heaven to restore her, that there 
may be an increased desire that it may be for no other cause, 
but that her heart, her hands and her feet, may unite with 
mine in sounding forth our Kedeemer's praise, if required, 
even to the ends of the earth. 

The following entries record the last hours of the 
dying Christian wife, and the feelings of her bereaved 
husband : — 

10 7720. 25.— Last night we expected my dear lamb would 
have sunk away. How the awful event is to terminate is 
known only to Him on whose bosom I trust she has always 
rested ; for in no other place could she be preserved in the 
state of peace which she appears to possess. 



72 HIS \nFE'S DEATH. [1821. 

29^A. — A most awful morning ; my dear lamb is no more ! 
She sweetly fell asleep in tlie bosom of her Saviour, at one 
o'clock this morning. The closing scene was perfect ease 
and peace. From the first of her illness she seemed aware 
how it would terminate, and was perfectly resigned. During 
our being at Bentham she has often said it was a place pro- 
vided by Providence to afford her that religious retirement 
she had long desired, and which she took the most scrupulous 
care to improve. When in health she would tell me of late 
that perhaps she might be taken away in order to set me 
more fully at liberty to do the Lord's work. 

11 7)10. 18. — This day two weeks was the solemn ceremony 
of committing to the silent dust the remains of my very pre- 
cious and dearly beloved Elizabeth. I had dreaded the day 
very much ; but through prayer, mixed with a degree of faith, 
which was mercifully granted, I was wonderfully supported. 
In the meeting I felt the divine influence so near, and so to 
prevail over my spirit, that I was constrained publicly to 
thank the Father of mercies for his goodness. 

This day I visited, perhaps for the last time, the place which 
encloses the cold relics of one so dearly beloved ; and as I 
stood weeping over the grave, it sprang in my heart. She is 
not here but (she) is risen. What an unspeakable consola- 
tion to be enabled to leave the dust behind, and hold sweet 
communion and converse with the spirit. Ever since her 
departure it feels as though her spirit had never left me, but 
was hovering and fluttering around me to administer comfort 
on every afflicting occasion ; and O, saith my spirit, that 
this precious feeling may remain with me for ever. 

12 mo. 20. — T feel to lament the loss of my dear lamb 
more than ever, at least so far as I dare. No one but myself 
knows the comfort which the late awful event has deprived me 
of; but I no sooner remember the hand which administered 
it than all complaining is hushed into silence, and I am made 
to rejoice that she is so safely deposited where trouble 
cannot reach. 

From this moment John Yeardley felt himself quite 



JET. 35.] DIARY. 73 

free to pursue the path of duty which had been opened 
before him, viz., to go and reside in Germany. 

In the Eleventh Month he left Bentham to sojourn 
awhile with his brother, and on the 9th of the First 
Month, 1822, he received a certificate of removal from 
Settle Monthly Meeting, addressed to the Friends of 
Pyrmont and Minden, which certified that he was a 
member of the Society of Friends, and a minister well 
approved by the church. 

Before we pursue further the sequence of events, two 
passages from the diary may be here transcribed, which 
could not have been inserted in the order of time 
without interrupting the narrative. The first of these 
conveys a lesson of practical wisdom, and exhibits the 
method by which the writer was able to succeed and to 
excel in what he undertook. It is the true comprehen- 
sion and resolute acting upon maxims such as these, 
which makes so much of the difierence between one 
man and another. 

1821. 7 mo. 2. — ^No man can excel in everything; there- 
fore it is highly important for each mind to consider atten- 
tively for what it is calculated, and what end it is designed to 
answer by him who created it. As secular affairs are often 
more expedited by a judicious arrangement, than by hard 
doing indiscriminately at the mass ; so will undertakings of 
superior importance be more advantageously attained by 
keeping a single eye, and looking for best direction to make 
a proper selection of what ought to be done and what ought 
not to be done. I was long too much wavering on this head, 
to my great loss ; but I now hope it is become a settled point, 
and I have clearly seen for what service I am designed in 
the church militant here on earth; therefore, through the 
assistance of divine grace, I hope to pursue nothing but in 
subordination to this main design. For a Httle mind to aim 
at great things would be to thwart the whole ; but to 
6 



74 MONTHLY MEETING AT WAKEFIELD. [1821. 

endeavor to be faithful in small things, seems to be the way 
to attain the end. 

rrom the other entry we shall extract only a few 
words, but they are words fraught with deep instruc- 
tion : — 

9 mo. 7. — " Without holiness no man shall see the Lord." 
Without purity of heart we cannot see the pointing of the 
Divine Finger. 

On the 18th of the Second Month, John Yeardley 
attended Pontefract Monthly Meeting, held at Wake- 
field. 

It was, he says, a precious season ; I felt my friends very 
near to me in spirit, and expressed to them in tenderness 
and love what lay on my mind; and in the conclusion 
the power and goodness of the Most High were so awfully 
felt that I could not forbear kneeling down to offer him 
thanks, and to supplicate that he would be pleased once more 
to bind up the breaches in the walls of our Zion, and grant 
that when we were separated one from another we might 
never be separated from his presence. 

I now begin, he continues, to feel very anxious to set 
forward for my destination on the other side of the water. 
What an awful situation mine appears to be ! that faith 
and patience may be granted equal to the occasion ! 

1822. 2 mo. 26. — I never read in my dear lamb's diary 
but it feels to season my heart with good. It is as though 
her writings were impregnated with a degree of sincerity and 
resignation which were so eminently the characteristics of her 
innocent spirit. O, I repeat it, that my precious Saviour 
may be pleased to appoint her angel spirit to be ray guardian 
through life, until I shall be joined with her in heaven and 
we both unite in singing his praise. 

About this time his brother, Thomas Yeardley, began 
to exercise the ministerial office. 



JET. 36.] GOES TO HULL. 75 

3 mo. 3. — Attended Woodhouse Meeting, whicli was to me 
a very trying one. My brother Thomas spoke the feeling of 
my heart in something like these words : — " They come unto 
thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my 
people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them." 

3 mo. 18. — This day was held the Monthly Meeting at 
Barnsley. The Testimony concerning our much-esteemed 
friend Joseph Wood was read and signed by the meetings at 
large. When I consider the legacy, so to speak, which this 
dear friend used to say he should bequeath to me, this lan- 
guage seems to prevail in my heart : — " Moses my servant 
is dead; now therefore arise. As I was with Moses, so I 
will be with thee ; I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee." — 
Joshua i. 2, 5. This is an awful consideration ; but why 
should any despair ? May not the faithfal mind say, ^' This 
God is our God ; he will be our guide, even unto death." I 
desire most sincerely to be kept in humility, whatever the 
probations may be which are necessary to fit me for the design 
of Him who hath given me life, breath and being. 

On the 2d of the Fourth Month he quitted Barnsley, 
accompanied by his brother Thomas. 

I think it a favor indeed, he says, to be relieved from a 
doubting mind as to whether I should go or stay ; for I can 
truly say that, let the result prove wliat it may, I go with an 
undivided heart. 

Elizabeth Dell had a meeting at Pontefract this day, where 
I met her ; it was a very satisfactory meeting, and it was 
pleasant to meet with several Friends here whom I did not 
expect to have seen again. The parting opportunity with 
E. D. has left a savor on my mind which I hope will not 
soon be forgotten. 

Before he left England he opened negotiations with 
several mercantile houses, who gave him orders for linen 
yarn from Germany. At Hull he writes : 

4: mo. 12. — My detention here, waiting for a fair wind 



76 EXTRACTS FROM E. YEARDLEY'S LETTERS. [1822. 

to Hamburg, has not been unpleasant; my friends are ex- 
ceedingly kind, but my feelings in a religious sense have 
been rather depressing. 

His heart was full of serious thoughts in anticipation 
of the voyage, which was then more formidable than it 
is now ; but the joyful hope of a glorious immortality, 
if death should be suffered to overtake him, bore him 
up above his fears. 

14:th. — May I be preserved in a holy reliance on the Arm 
of strong Power for help. " O Lord G-od, who is a strong 
Lord like unto Thee, or to thy faithfulness round about 
Thee? Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves 
thereof arise, Thou stillest them." O may it please him to 
carry me in his bosom, and protect me from the dangers of 
the sea. But should it please him to permit that I go 
down to the bottom, may I be fully resigned in humble con- 
fidence that I shall again arise to shine brighter with him 
in everlasting glory. Amen. 

We shall conclude this chapter with a few extracts 
from Elizabeth Yeardley's letters, which well depict her 
character and experience; and with a copy of the 
weighty and pertinent testimony regarding Joseph 
Wood which was issued by Pontefract Monthly Meet- 
ing. 



7 mo. 13, 1818. — The broad way seems more and more 
crowded, while the road to Zion is thinly scattered with poor 
wayworn travellers ; each, or nearly so, of the former living 
as if there were to be no hereafter, and earth was to be their 
eternal home. I have thought that as our Blessed Kedeemer's 
arms were extended wide on the cross to embrace perishing 
sinners, so do these short-sighted mortals extend their arms 
and their wishes in grasping unsubstantial vanities, and that 
craving one of Mammon, the most fascinating of all, as it 
increases with age. 



MT.S6.] TESTIMONY OF JOSEPH WOOD. 77 

9 mo. 24, 1819. — I hope by what I have felt of the keen 
arrow of adversity piercing the heart, it will teach me, when 
I see it wounding any of my fellow-mortals, to endeavor to 
soothe, if I have nothing else in my power towards healing 
the wound. Let thee and me be determined, in the name of 
the holy Jesus, to follow him and not look on others. He is 
leading us into the pure green, ever green, pasture of humilia- 
tion, where the sheep of his pasture love to lie. I own the 
road is not very pleasant ; the descent is rugged, and many 
times the poor traveller is ashamed of being seen hobbling 
down by his former acquaintance ; but when once within the 
sacred enclosure, the sweet air that breathes humility hushes 
all stormy passions to rest. I read and read again of all those 
holy folks being divested of self, and anxiously do I desire to 
be so too, but by the marks they lay down I am very far from 
that attainment. However, He who said, Let there be light, 
and there was light, can add this to the rest of his inestimable 
blessings showered on my unworthy head. 

4 mo. 14, 1820. — We are sometimes led to expect pity from 
people where we think we have a sort of claim, and here we 
often feel disappointed. Persons at ease cannot feel for the 
sensations of pain in others, any more than prosperity can 
feel the seasons of adversity. Couldst thou have a look into 
the houses and bosoms of the inmates of most in B. or other 
places, thou wouldst find a something sorrowful, a burden the 
possessor would be glad to be quit of. Let us, then, go for- 
ward with hope, and endeavor to be truly thankful for the 
many mercies showered on our heads, who have not rendered 
as we ought that gratitude so greatly His due. O look at the 
bulk of the population in England, whose children are lookT 
ing up to them for a meal, and they have it not for them ; and 
then let the tear of thankfulness fall. To be thankful is to 
feel a spark of heavenly flame ; to be thankful is to increase 
the blessing already poured forth. O that I possessed more 
of this blessed spirit ; for truly it is angelic ! 



78 TESTIMONY OF JOSEPH WOOD. [1822. 



A Testimony of Pontefract Monthly Meeting concerning 
Joseph Wood, deceased. 

This our esteemed friend was born at Newhouse, near 
Highflatts, within the compass of this Monthly Meeting, on 
the 26th of the Fourth Month, 1750. His parents, Samuel 
and Susanna Wood, members of our Society, were concerned 
for the best interest of their children. In his youth he gave 
way to sorne of the vanities incident to that period of life, 
but when approaching manhood he was happily brought under 
the restraining power of Truth, and often humbled in deep 
inward exercise. Once being in the fields in the night season, 
he exclaimed, Lord what shall I do, or whither shall I go ? 
The answer in the secret of his own heart was as intelligible 
as if spoken to his outward ear, — Whither wilt thou go, 
Have not I the words of eternal life? Soon after this he 
attended a neighboring meeting, when a ministering Friend, 
who was a stranger, stood up with the words which he had 
received as an answer to his inquiry, and enlarged upon the 
subject in a manner suited to his tried state of mind. 

In the year 1779, in the twenty-ninth year of his age, was 
his first appearance in the ministry, in great fear and broken- 
ness .of spirit : but being obedient to the manifestations of 
truth, he experienced an advancement therein, and was a good 
example, adorning his profession by a circumspect life. His 
testimony was not with the enticing words of man's wisdom, 
, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power. Neither 
was he forward to offer his gift, patiently abiding in the deep 
t\ll he felt the holy fire burn. He was at times led in a plain 
close manner to the unfaithful professors of truth, but had 
the word of consolation to the rightly exercised, unto whom 
he was indeed a nursing father. He was especially useful to 
such as the Lord was gathering from the barren mountains 
of an empty profession to the knowledge of the truth, and 
he was frequent in solemn supplication for these, and for the 
awakening of those who were at ease in Zion. His heart 
being enlarged in gospel love, he was anxious for the salva- 



MT. 36.] TESTIMONY OF JOSEPH WOOD. 79 

tion of all, and was frequently engaged to appoint meetings 
amongst those not in profession with us. For this service he 
was eminently gifted, and his ministry on these occasions was 
often attended with the powerful baptizing influence of the 
Spirit, to the convincement of many. He was concerned to 
impress on the minds of his friends the necessity of a due 
attendance of week-day meetings, believing that such as were 
negligent in this duty never experienced an attainment to the 
state of strong men in the truth. That our dear friend was 
zealous for the proper support of discipline in our religious 
body was sufficiently evident from the part he took in the ex- 
ercise of it in his own Monthly Meeting ; for active service in 
this important branch of church government he was eminently 
gifted. 

In the course of his religious labors, he visited the meetings 
of Friends generally in most of the Quarterly Meetings in 
England, and many meetings within the principality of Wales ; 
and divers of them repeatedly. 

During the latter period of his life, feeling his bodily 
strength decline, he was anxiously desirous that no service 
required of him should be omitted. His zeal increased with 
his years, and he became more abundant in labor for the pro- 
motion of the Christian cause. In a memorandum made 
about a year before his death, he writes, '' This day I attained 
the seventieth year of my age. May the remainder of my 
days be so devoted to the Lord's service, as, when the solemn 
message of death is sent, I may have nothing to do but to 
render up my accounts with joy !" In the last Monthly Meet- 
ing he attended, he expressed amongst us that he had seen in 
the vision of life that day, that there were of the youth there 
present those who, if they were faithful and kept in their in- 
nocency, would become instruments of good, and finally would 
shine as the stars, for ever and ever. 

The day before his death, the first day of the week, he ap- 
peared in his own meeting at Highflatts, in a powerful testi- 
mony, beginning with these words of Moses to Hobab : " We 
are journeying unto the place of which the Lord said, I 
will give it you. Come thou with us, and we will do thee 



80 TESTIMONY OF JOSEPH WOOD. [1822. 

good ; for the Lord hath spoken good concerning Israel." In 
the course of his testimony he had in strong terms to urge the 
necessity of a preparation for an awful eternity. In the after- 
noon of the same day he complained of a pain in his breast 
and arms, but was not considered in danger. He retired to 
bed at his usual hour ; but he slept little, and quietly departed 
about five o'clock the following morning, the 26th of the 
Third Month, 1821 ; and was buried at Highflatts the 81st of 
the same ; (many Friends and others attended the meeting on 
this solemn occasion, which was eminently owned by the pres- 
ence of the Great Shepherd of Israel ;) aged seventy-one years, 
a minister about forty-two years. 



CHAPTER IV. 

HIS FIRST RESIDENCE IN GERMANY. 

1822-24. 

John Yeardlet left Hull on the 14th of the Fourth 
Month, and arrived at Hamburg on the 21st. For the 
purpose of attending the Exchange, and of becoming 
acquainted with the language, he hired a lodging in the 
neighborhood of the city, where he remained for some 
weeks. Writing to his brother, under date of the 23rd 
of the Fourth Month, he says, — 

In the neighborhood of Hamburg, lodgings are not easily 
obtained for so short a time as a month. We succeeded in 
procuring a room three miles from the town, at Eppendorf, 
in the house of three young women, sisters. It is a charming 
walk, mostly over the fields. It is quite a cross for me to go 
on 'Change ; but as it is the only place for information, I must 
submit to it,^ my visit to this place being for instruction in 
the language and mode of conducting business : but, from 
what I have yet seen, it will be quite the best for me to pro- 
ceed into the interior of the country in a few weeks. 

What his reflections were when he found himself 
actually an inhabitant of the land where for so long a 
time he had mentally dwelt, will be seen by the follow- 
ing entry in his Diary. The maxim with w^hich it con- 
cludes may be said to be the motto which he inscribed 
on his shield for the remainder of his life. 

This morning I am thankful to feel something of a peaceful 

serenity to cover my mind, and am well contented in being 

placed on this side of the German Ocean. I consider it an 

(81) 



82 DIARY. [1822. 

unspeakable blessing that I do not feel so mucb as a wish to 
return, until the time may come that I can see clearly that 
it is right for me so to do. Should I not be favored with 
health and strength to do what I have sometimes thought 
designed for me before I set my foot in this land, or should 
my Heavenly Father see meet to cut short the work in 
righteousness and not permit that I ever see my native 
country again, his gracious will he done, I leave this as a 
testimony that none need to fear his rightly sending forth 
those who ask and rightly wait for his counsel. I do not 
know why I should thus write: I trust it proceeds from a 
resigned heart ; and I will add, for fear I should never have 
another opportunity, that I should wish all to know who have 
known me, that I have no reason to doubt the rectitude of 
my crossing the water with a prospect of a residence in this 
country, and that should time with me now close, I die in 
peace with my God, and in that love for mankind which 
believes " every nation to be our nation, and every man our 
brother."— (6 mo. 8.) 

The next day's diary consists of a short but earnest 
prayer. 

First-day morning. — O, gracious and most merciful Father, 
be pleased to strengthen my hands for the work that is before 
me ; be pleased to give me the power of speech ; be pleased 
to give me thy word, with power to publish it to those whose 
hearts thou shalt be pleased to prepare for the reception 
of it. 

The family with whom he lodged at Eppendorf- 
strongly engaged his religious sympathy. 

I spent, he says in his diary of the 8th of the Seventh 
Month, about nine weeks at E. in a very agreeable manner 
with the family of three young women. The one who is the 
mistress of the house is very seriously inclined. She told me 
she had read a play-book giving a description of our Society 
in the character of one of its members, and ever since she 



-aiT. 86.] FEOM HAMBUKG TO PYEMOXT. 83 

had had a particular desire to see one of us, and that she could 
not but admire with thankfulness that she had been gratified 
in having one to reside under her roof. She had heard of 
Thomas Shillitoe's being in Hamburg ; and when I told her 
he was now in Norway, she asked me his business there. I 
told her that our Friends had sometimes a desire to visit their 
brethren and other religiously -disposed people in foreign 
lands, and that such was his errand. She replied, " Yes, 
and I believe it is also yours : this is Gospel love indeed ; 
while so many here will not think for themselves, you come 
so far to visit and help them." In saying this she was over- 
come with tears. 

John Yeardley left Hamburg on the 2d of the Seventh 
Month, and arrived at Pyrmont on the 5th. Writing 
to his brother, he says : 

I have now had a specimen of German travelling. Thou 
wilt be sure I was very bold to set off quite alone except 
the driver, but it proved far easier than I had anticipated. 
Instead of having a conveyance to seek when I got over to 
Harburg, there was a man on the steam-packet who offered 
to take me in his carriage, and the whole of my packages, to 
Pyrmont. 

A great part of the country between Harburg and Hanover 
is very dreary and barren, much resembling Bentham Moor ; 
but the road is much worse, being in many places not less 
than eighteen inches or two feet deep in sand. When we 
came near Celle and Hanover, the country became quite 
different, being very fruitful, and the prospect charming. 
Nearly all the way from Hanover to Pyrmont it is beautiful 
travelling, and the road mostly good. Pyrmont and the 
scenery in the surrounding neighborhood is beautiful beyond 
description. 

At Eppendorf he had been cheered by a visit from 
Benjamin Seebohm and John Snowdon, from Bradford, 
who informed him that a committee from the Yearly 



84: SPIRITUAL EXERCISES. [1822. 

Meeting were on their way to Pyrmont. This was to 
him most welcome news, and the Friends reached 
Pyrmont almost as soon as he did ; but though their 
company was so cordial to his mind, their presence dki 
not relieve him from the burden of religious exercise 
which he began to feel on behalf of the members of the 
Society in that place, as soon as he took up his residence 
amongst them. 

Diary. — 7 mo. 16. — The Committee from the Yearly Meet- 
ing — viz., Josiah Forster, Joseph Marriage, and Peter Bedford 
— have visited the farnilies of Friends here, and attended the 
Preparative Meeting which was held on First-day last. Things 
here appear to be very low every way among those who pro- 
fess with us ; yet there are a few sincere-hearted to whom I 
already begin to feel closely united in spirit. 

From the time of my arrival until First-day last, I do not 
remember ever to have been more oppressed in mind. I 
could, if I dared, almost have wished myself in England 
again, for I feared I should not be able to obtain any relief. 
I went to meeting on First-day in fear and trembling ; but, 
as is sometimes the case, it proved better than I had expected. 
When we are stripped of all help but what comes from the 
Lord alone, it is then that he delights most to help us. 
Through the acceptable assistance of my friend B. Seebohm, 
I was enabled to communicate what came before me, and the 
great dread which I had always had of speaking through an 
interpreter was mercifully removed, for which I was truly 
thankful. The three Friends were favored most instruc- 
tively to labor in the meeting for business. They are now 
gone to Minden; I feel tenderly united to their spirits in 
much love. 

John Yeardley's residence was at Friedensthal, a 
hamlet about a mile from the town of Pyrmont. In a 
letter to his brother he thus describes the situation of 
the place, and his own comfortable accommodation : — 



MT. 36.] FRIEDENSTHAL — MIXDEX 85 

My mother inquires as to my mode of living, and if I have 
comfortable accommodations. Please to tell her that I am 
provided for in a way which is exceedingly agreeable to me. 
I have a large airy sitting-room with three windows, and a 
bed-room adjoining, situated, on one side, under the shelter 
of a wood, and the other opens to a beautiful and romantic 
dale. The mode of cooking is just as I would wish it ; I am 
only anxious sometimes that my very kind friends of the 
house are too much concerned for my help and comfort. It 
seems scarcely possible to find an outward situation more 
suited to my wishes. When I have studied in the house. I 
take my books in suitable weather into the wood, and there 
walk and read and think. It is true I am sometimes very flat 
for want of company ; but if I incline to go to Pyrmont, 
they are always pleased to see me, and would willingly have 
me always with them. — (2 mo. 17, 1823.) 

Very soon after his arrival at Pyrmont, John Yeardley 
entered into active service in behalf of the gospel. In 
what religious state he found the people towards whom 
he had so long been attracted in spirit, and how he was 
enabled to preach to them the word of life, is exhibited 
in several entries in his Diary. 

7 mo. 21. — The Two-months' Meeting was held at Minden ; 
I went, along with several of my friends from here. The first 
sitting was very large, many coming in who do not usually 
attend. It was. a very solid meeting ; I thought there was 
the good savor of an honest-hearted few to be felt among a 
mixed multitude. Such was the sweet, peaceful satisfaction 
I felt after this meeting, that I almost said in my heart, This 
is enough to repay me for setting my feet in Germany. 
These are precious seasons, yet I always recur to such in 
fear, and rejoice with trembling ; for in the midst of the 
Lord's goodness to his children one seems to be falling on 
one hand, and another on another; so that the language 
seems to be, " Will ye also go away ?" and truly we shall 



86 VISITS THE FAMILY AT PYRMONT. [1822. 

never be able to stand if we look not for help to Ilim who 
has the words of eternal life. 

About this time Thomas Shillitoe arrived in Germany, 
in the course of his religious visit on the Continent ; 
and John Yeardley, on his return to Pyrmont, united 
with him in a visit to the families of Friends belonging 
to that meeting. 

8 mo. 13. — My feelings are this morning deeply discour- 
aged. I am entering on a visit to the families here with my 
dear friend T. S,, whose company I have had since the 23rd 
ult. This service is to me a yqtj important one. It is an 
easy matter to say to a brother or a sister, Be comforted, be 
strengthened; but it is no light matter to dip so feelingly 
into the state of our fellow-mortals, as to feel as though we 
could place our soul in their soul's stead, in order that they 
might be strengthened and comforted. 

8 mo. 20. — The visit has been got over to our great satis- 
faction. In some sittings, deep exercise and mourning; in 
others, cause of rejoicing over the precious seed of the king- 
dom, which is alive in the hearts of some. There seems to 
be a remarkable visitation once more extended, especially to 
the youth. 

In conjunction with Thomas Shillitoe he proposed to 
the Friends, as only one meeting was held on First- 
days, to have one in the evening for religious reading, 
holding it at Friedensthal in the summer, and at Pyr- 
mont in the winter. The proposal was immediately 
complied with, and the institution proved a valuable 
auxiliary to the edification of the members. 

8 mo. 25. — The reading meeting this evening has been a 
precious season ; 0, how all spirits were melted together ! 
May the blessing of the Lord rest upon this humble endeavor 
as a means of bringing us nearer to himself. 



JET. SQ.} HANOVER. ' 87 

2Sth. — Our Englisli Friends [Benjamin Seebohm and Jolin 
Snowdon] have taken their departure. I feel a little solitary, 
but I think it a great favor to be preserved from a wish to 
go with them ; nothing will do for me but entire resignation 
to the Lord's will and work. Little did I think when I left 
my home in England, that a work of this sort awaited me in 
Germany ; indeed, I came blind in the gospel ; I knew 
nothing ; but now I see such a field of labor if I am faithful : 
how shall it ever be accomplished ? 0, prepare me, dearest 
Lord, for without thy heavenly hand to assist me I must faint. 
O; may I ever seek thy counsel, and be thou pleased to lead 
me step by step, and give strength according to the day. 

29th. — To-day I have for the first time expressed a few 
sentences in broken German in our little meeting. ^ I do not 
know whether they might be very clearly understood, but I 
hope the attempt to do what I conceived to be the Lord's 
will, will be accepted by him. 0, that he may be pleased to 
give me the power of speech ! 

In the Ninth Month he went to Hanover with Thomas 
Shillitoe, who had a concern to see the authorities 
regarding the observance of the First-day. They did 
not meet with much success in their object; but they 
made the acquaintance of Pastors Gundel and Hage- 
mann, the latter " nearly blind and very grey, but truly 
green in the feeling sense of religion," and who rejoiced 
in his heart to find a brother concerned to reform those 
things which had long laid heavy on his mind. 

The two friends travelled together to Minden, where 
they parted, and John Yeardley returned to Pyrmont 
by Bielefeld. 

The neighborhood of this town, he says, is remarkably 
fine. There is a very high hill, partly formed by nature, and 
partly by art, from which we can see quite round, without 
any interruption, even into Holland. Here, from the ap- 



88 EIDINGHAUSEN. [1822. 

pearance of the bleacli-grounds, I could fancy myself in 
Barnsley. But, as Sarah Grubb says, I can have no pleasure 
in fine prospects ; my mind in these journeys is always too 
much exercised with matters of a more serious nature. 

In the latter part of the month John Yeardley went 
again to Minden, to unite with Thomas Shillitoe in a 
visit to the families of Friends. They commenced their 
visit at Biickeburg, where they had a remarkable inter- 
view with the family of the Kammer-rath Wind, which 
is related at length in T. S.'s journal (vol. i., p. 388). 

The place which seems in these visits to have engaged 
J. Y.'s sympathies the most strongly was the village of 
Eidinghausen. 

We had, he says, a very favored meeting in the room 
where their meeting is usually held. In the sitting in the 
evening, with the family where we lodged, many of the neigh- 
bors came in, who seemed to have no wish to leave us. I 
thought of the words of the dear Saviour, when seeing the 
multitudes he had compassion on them, because they were 
as sheep having no shepherd. Truly these have no outward 
shepherd who cares much for their spiritual interests. I felt 
my heart much warmed in gospel love towards them, and we 
invited them to give us their company again next day, which 
most of them did. In this meeting there was something 
expressed so remarkably suited to the states of some present, 
that after it was over a woman confessed it had been as was 
declared, that she herself was one to whom it belonged ; and 
she gave us a short relation how it had been with her in 
former days. 

The love which these simple, honest-hearted creatures 
manifest towards us does away with all distinctions and the 
difference of language. 0, that He who teaches as never 
man taught may be pleased to guide them and bring them to 
himself that there may be one shepherd and one sheep-fold. 
All our toils in this weary land will not be too much if we 



^T. 36.] DIARY. 89 

can be made tlie instrumeDts of telping only one poor soul 
on its way Zion wards. 

10 mo. 8. — I returned yesterday evening from Minden, 
with a thankful heart, to come again to my quiet and 
romantic habitation in Peacedale. The strong fortifications 
which are made, and now making, around Minden, give it 
an appearance of gloom and oppression which is scarcely to 
be borne. 0, how uncomfortable do I feel when within its 
walls ; but in its neighborhood there are a few friends to 
whom I am tenderly united in spirit. 

He concludes this entry with an allusion to the 
homely and even hard manner of life to which many of 
these were accustomed. 

To some of our Friends in England who are dissatisfied 
with their outward situation, I would say, Come and see how 
these live on the Continent. 

The 29 th of the Tenth Month was the anniversary of 
his wife's death. His diary for this day is an affecting 
transcript of his feelings on the occasion. 

The shock which my earthly happiness received this day 
twelvemonths has been, this evening, piercingly renewed in 
the recollection of almost every minute transaction which 
accompanied the awful event of the closing moments of my 
precious lamb. For truly like a lamb she lived, and was well 
prepared to become an angel-spirit. 0, happy spirit, thou 
art at rest ; then why should I mourn thy loss ? Surely He 
who knows the weakness of our frame will forgive, for he 
himself gave us the example in weeping over those he loved. 
The Almighty has been very good to me ; he has put it in 
the hearts of those with whom I reside to care for me with 
an affectionate interest. 0, for greater diligence, that the 
day's work may keep pace with the day. What shall I do, 
but pray for more strength to be made able to do all that 
7 



90 SELF-EXAMINATION". [1822. 

may be required of me. I never saw the advice of our dear 
Saviour more necessary for myself than at the present time, 
" Be ye wise as serpents and harmless as doves." 

Soon after this he had a return of his complaint in 
the stomach, which caused him to exclaim — 

We are indeed but dust and ashes ; how quickly the slender 
thread may be cut, and reduce this frail tabernacle to that 
state of earthly composition from which it was formed. But 
the spiritual part in us must have an abiding somewhere for 
ever ; this is the awful consideration which ought continually 
to affect our hearts. Is it not a strange infatuation to rank 
the moments of afiliction among the evil events of our lives, 
when these may prove the very means of bringing back our 
wandering feet to the path which leads to everlasting life ? 

He then reviews his own situation, his calling and his 
work. 

It is often the consideration of my heart, What has brought 
me into this country ? what have I done ? what am I doing ? 
and what have I to do ? The enemy is not wanting to dis- 
tress my poor mind on the point of these four important 
queries. But to the first I can answer, An humble submission 
to what I believe to be the leadings of Divine Wisdom. To 
the second, through the assistance of never -failing love, I 
have done what I could and have found peace. To the third, 
I am desirous through divine aid to do what I can ; and to 
the fourth, which refers to the future, I must commit it into 
the hands of the Judge of the whole earth, who alone is able 
to guide my feet in the sure path. I feel in the present mo- 
ment desirous to keep eternity continually before my view, 
and to let outward things hang more fully on the dependence 
of Him who suffers not a sparrow to fall to the ground with- 
out his notice. (11 mo. 30.) 

12 mo. 1. — The reading meeting this evening has been a 
precious time. Our spirits have been much tendered in 



MT, 36.] youth's meeting at pyemont. 91 

readinof some account of tlie lives and deaths of our worthy 
Friends recorded in Sewel's History. Tears so overpowered 
the reader and the hearers, that the reading was at times 
obliged to be suspended until we had given relief to our 
feelings. 

In addition to this meeting, John Yeardley esta- 
blished another for the young, to be held on Fourth-day 
evening, " in which they might improve themselves in 
reading, and acquire a knowledge of the principles of 
the Society, with other branches of useful information." 
The young women were to bring their work; and it 
was his delight to interrupt the reading with religious 
instruction, and such remarks as a father makes for the 
improvement and gratification of his children. We see 
him here for the first time in a character in which he 
was well known to the present generation in various 
parts of England, viz., as an instructor and guide of the 
youth. In noticing in his Diary the formation of the 
Youths' Meeting at Pyrmont, he comments with plea- 
sure on the innocent cheerful manners of his audience, 
and on the advantages which might be looked for from 
this kind of social intercourse. 

The last entry in this year records an occasion of 
near approach to the throne of grace in prayer in the 
little congregation at Pyrmont. 

12 mo. 29, First-day. — A most remarkable season of divine 
favor in our evening assembly. The awe which I had felt 
over my spirit the whole of the day, and not feeling freedom 
to break my mind in the meeting in the morning, induced 
me to look to the evening opportunity with fear and trembling, 
which indeed is always the case when I feel the Master's hand 
upon me. The most solemn act of worship, that of public 
supplication, so powerfully impressed my mind, that I believed 
it right to yield to the motion, which I humbly trust was 



92 SOLEMN KEFLECTIONS. [1823. 

done in due reverence and humility of soul. Our spirits 
were so humbled under feelings of good that it seemed as if 
the secrets of all hearts were presented before the throne of 
grace, to ask forgiveness for former transgressions, strength 
to serve the Most High with more acceptance, and to be 
finally prepared to reign with him in glory. O how these 
seasons of refreshing will rise up against us in the great day 
of account, if we are not concerned to improve by them ! 
Grant, dearest Father, that I may experience a nearer and 
stronger tie to do thy w^ill more perfectly ; and let it please 
thee to remember those in this place and this land for whom 
my spirit so often secretly mourns and prays. 

The Diary of 1823 opens with a profound and solemn 
reflection. 

1823. 1 mo. 4. — For want of faith we are too much 
inclined to serve ourselves before we are willing to serve the 
Great Master, thinking we may be able to do much for him 
afterwards, when it will more accord with our situation in 
life. But, alas ! this time may never come ; if we thus put 
by the acceptable seasoii, our lives may close with our only 
having performed very imperfectly the part which had been 
designed for us in the Church militant. Painful w^ould be 
the sting when appealing to the Judge of the earth, in a 
moment when we no longer possessed the capability of serving 
him, should the declaration be. Thou hadst a desire to serve 
me when in health and strength, but thou wished first to 
serve thyself. My time was not then thy time, therefore thy 
time is not now my time. 

A letter to his brother, written in the summer of this 
year (6 mo. 9), gives a description of the mode of 
bleaching in use in Germany, which will, we believe, 
be interesting to the English reader. John Yeardley 

says: 

Wilt thou not be surprised when I tell thee that I am 
about to commence yarn-bleaching? Thou mayst be sure 



^T. 37.] BLEACHING. 93 

there is a pretty certain prospect of considerable advantages, 
with not ranch risk, to induce me to make the attempt. The 
advantages are threefold — safety, expedition and cheapness. 
The first consists in the simplicity of treatment and safety of 
the ingredients, no chemical process being made use of; the 
second arises from the heat of the climate ; the last is easily 
accounted for from the low price of labor and the cheapness 
of the raw material, which is produced in abundance in the 
neighborhood. In the country around, for a very consider- 
able distance, almost every family make their own linen ; 
they grow or buy the flax, spin the yarn and get it woven, 
and either bleach it themselves or send it to others who have 
better conveniences in water, &c. As the spring commenced, 
I noticed these little bleaching-plots wherever I went, and 
often wondered that the color was so good. Knowing that 
such people could not possibly be at any great expense or 
risk in the operation, I concluded it must be done by dint of 
time and labor, supposing that the yarn and cloth must lie 
at least a few months on the grass ; but, on inquiry, I .was 
surprised to find it was made quite white in three weeks or a 
month. To make a further proof, I sent two bundles of yarn 
to two different places to bleach ; it is now returned of a 
very good color and perfectly strong, though it has been in 
bleaching only a month and two or three days, and although 
the greater part of the Fifth Month has been unfavorable for 
bleaching. As to any risk of the yarn being tendered, it is 
quite out of the question ; it seems to be done by the operation 
that nature points out. I have found a very convenient place 
for the purpose of making trial ; there is plenty of good clear 
water. There is a prospect of having honest workpeople, and 
at very reasonable wages — not more than 6d. or Sd. a day; 
there are many honest creatures to be had at these wages who 
have nothing in the world to do. 

From the first of my leaving England, I had no expectation 
of being liberated from this country before the expiration of 
about four years, and I have always been desirous that some- 
thing should turn up that would afford me support by suit- 
able employment ; so that what I have now in view does not 



94 PEINCE AND PRINCESS OF PRUSSIA. [1823. 

seem to clash with my former prospects. It is ( he adds with 
affectionate feeling) a source of great consolation that I can 
always unbosom my mind so freely to thee ; and I consider 
it among the greatest blessings I enjoy, that thou hast never 
yet failed of being made an instrument of support to me, and 
my prayer is that thou mayst never lose thy reward. 

Pyrmont is one of the oldest watering-places north: of 
the Alps. The inhabitants are very much dependent on 
the visitors who resort thither during the three summer 
months, and amongst whom may frequently be reckoned 
some of the first families in Europe. This year, 1823, 
the Prince and Princess of Prussia ( the present Regent 
of Prussia and his consort) were there, and one Fourth- 
day morning attended the Friends' Meeting. The meet- 
ing-house stands in one of the allees, and although its 
position is not central, it is sufficiently public to be an 
object of attraction to the curiosity of strangers. A 
memorandum under date of the 18th of the Sixth Month 
records the royal visit, and John Yeardley's spiritual 
exercise on the occasion. 

6 mo. 18. — To-day the young prince and Princess of 
Prussia, with the Princess their mother, and the Hofmeister, 
have been at our Fourth -day meeting. They entered with 
such seriousness on their countenances that I felt my spirit 
suddenly drawn towards them in love, and a secret prayer 
was raised in my heart for their everlasting good. Feeling 
the influence of divine love to increase, I believed it right to 
kneel down, and in brokenness of spirit I expressed what had 
opened on my mind, which afforded me peace; and I hope 
good to others was imparted, although I may say through 
the nnworthiest of instruments. For truly I have for some 
time been as in a state of death and darkness, owing to my 
nnwatchfulness. O what would I give for more circumspec- 
tion, that I might be more prepared to receive the ivord, and 
when command is given, publish the same. But, unworthy 



^T. 37.] DIARY. 95 

creature, I often deprive myself and others of seasons of good 
through my negligence and barrenness. When will tbe time 
come when I can say, all earthly things are under my feet, 
and the cause of religion and virtue rules predominant in my 
heart ! Lord, hasten the day ; and preserve my feet in thy 
path in the midst of many snares ; and rather let me die than 
be suffered to do anything which would dishonor thy gracious 
and holy Name, and the profession I am making of thee 
before the world. Loose my bands, and enable me to say in 
sincerity of heart, I am willing to serve thee freely. 

"With the cause for self-condemnation which is alluded 
to in this entry was no doubt connected the neglect to 
keep up his Diary ; no entry occurs for more than ^Ye 
months previous. It was probably much more difficult 
in the position which he occupied in Germany to main- 
tain a spirit of watchfulness and self-recollection than 
among his more experienced Friends in Yorkshire. There 
is an allusion to this in an entry of a Httle later date. 

7 7710. 8. — My mind feels a little more gathered than it has 
been for some time past ; but the little outward dif&culties 
which are continually arising have a great tendency to dis- 
perse the best feelings. I think it is almost the greatest 
lesson that we have to learn, to stand so fast in times of 
trouble as not to suffer loss. If we would so conduct our- 
selves that the change of times and seasons should not have 
such an unfavorable influence on our minds, this would be 
one great point gained ; it would enable us to meet the diffi- 
culties of the day in a better state to combat with them. 

But if daily trials abounded of a nature the most 
likely to retard his spiritual progress, we shall see that 
He who had appointed his lot, provided in his faithful- 
ness the needful corrective, and by the discipHne of filial 
fear in the ministry of the word, kept him safe in his 
sanctuary. 



96 MEETINGS AT PYRMONT. [1823. 

The attendance of visitors at the meeting-house was 
often numerous, althogh it was seldom that they re- 
mained during the whole time of worship. Meetings 
of this kind were very trying to John Yeardley's faith 
and feelings ; but sometimes they were seasons of heav- 
enly blessing such as abundantly to make amends for 
past humiliation. 

7 mo. 6. — To-day the small meeting-house and passage were 
quite filled with strangers, and I was told many went away 
who could not get in, and some remained under the windows. 
No creature on earth knows what my poor mind suffers when 
I go to meeting under such circumstances. Many whom 
curiosity brings in the expectation to hear words may some • 
times be disappointed, but I hope there are some whose in- 
tentions are sincere, and who are desirous to be informed the 
way to Zion. I hope strength was afforded me to preach 
Christ crucified. O that the Lord may support me in these 
very trying seasons, and take from me the fear of man, and 
fill my heart with a holy fear of offending Him whom I 
humbly trust I am desirous of choosing to be my Lord and 
Master. 

7 mo. 27. — "Bless the Lord, my soul, and all that is 
within me bless his holy name." Notwithstanding my many 
seasons of poverty and inward distress, the foregoing language 
is sometimes put into my heart on my return from our 
meetings, which are, in the bathing season, almost always 
crowded with strangers. Their manner of coming in and 
going out during the time of worship is exceedingly disturb- 
ing, and yet I cannot but admire the stillness which prevails 
when anything is delivered. The help which I at times ex- 
perience in these trying seasons is wonderful in my eyes. 
When I am concerned to stand up in His dread and fear, 
what have I else to fear ? This fear would always cast out the 
fear of man which ever brings death ; and yet so weak am I, 
that after all these precious helps and comforting times, I 
tremble when the meeting-day comes again lest I should fail 



JET. 37.] MEETINGS AT PYRMOXT. 97 

in doing the Lord's will. Such is my fear before I can rise 
to my feet in meetings that I say with Stimson, Be with me 
this once more that T may bear testimony to thy name ; then, 
if it be thy will let me die for thee, and I will not think it 
too much to suffer. that He would be pleased to enlarge 
his gift in my heart, and be unto me mouth and wisdom, and 
give me tongue and utterance to declare his name unto the 
nations. 

7 mo. 30. — Our Fourth-day meeting to-day has been a pre- 
cious heavenly season. Much more weightiness of spirit 
appeared to exist in the strangers who attended, and conse- 
quently more stillness. I had not long taken my seat before 
I believed it right to stand up with the words of the apostle, 
"Awake to righteousness and sin not, for some have not the 
knowledge of Grod; I speak this to your shame." The 
women's side was nearly full of richly-clad females; they 
bore the marks of worldly distinction, and were indeed as fine 
as hands and pins could make them. But the tenderings of 
divine love reached the hearts of some among them in a par- 
ticular degree. I felt such a nearness of spirit towards them 
that I had great openness in speaking of the things which 
came before me. After meeting they very willingly accepted 
of some books. One of them was much reached, and went 
into the little plantation to weep. Another went to her to 
comfort her ; but she replied, Gro from me and leave me alone. 
"We may truly say with the apostle that God is no respecter 
of persons, but those who fear him and work righteousness 
will be accepted of him, to whatever nation, kindred, tongue 
or people they may belong. All distinctions of religious 
sects and party spirit are laid aside when our hearts become 
prepared to embrace each other in true Christian love. I do 
believe the Lord's work is begun in the hearts of many in this 
land ; and the fervent prayer of my spirit is that he may be 
pleased to carry it on to perfection, and that we may live to 
see the glorious day when righteousness shall cover the earth 
as the waters cover the channels of the sea. Germany, 
Germany, what does my heart feel on account of thy inhabi- 
tants! It seems as if I could tread thy soil for the remainder 



98 HIS mother's ILLXE.:^S. [1823. 

of my days if I could only be made the instrument of helping 
on their way those scattered ones who are athirst for the sin- 
cere milk of the word of life. 

One of the females who visited our meetings came to the 
school room on Seventh-day, and requested the favor of 
having a few books to peruse and circulate. She said she 
was from Osnabrlick, and that there were a number of people 
in that place who had a great love to the Eriends of our 
Society. Such opportunities afibrd the means of circulating 
a knowledge of the truth to those whose hearts may be pre- 
paring to receive it ; and if such are only awakened to seek 
after the ways of holiness, although they may never come to 
be of our number on earth, they will be found among the 
number of the saints in heaven. The bathing-list this season 
already amounts to 2500 persons, in which number there 
are many who are desirous to inquire the way to Zion. It 
is much to be desired that the peculiar advantages which 
Pyrmont affords for spreading in the different parts of the 
Continent books illustrative of our religious principles should 
be judiciously embraced, particularly as there appears such an 
openness to receive them. I can truly say I have been 
thankful that my lot has been here this summer, and I trust 
I have not flinched from doing what I believed to be required 
of me. 

In his letters to his brother, John Yeardley makes 
frequent mention of his mother. In the Ninth Month 
he heard of her being seriously ill, and he thus writes 
in reference to her state, in a letter dated the 29th of 
the Ninth Month: — 

The state of my dear mother's health is truly alarming; 
but as I have received no further account from thee, I am 
flattering my poor panting heart with a comfortable hope 
that she may have taken a turn for the better, and will yet 
live to see the hour when we shall once more embrace each 
other in my native land. If she should be taken away with- 
out my being permitted to see her again, it would be a cup 



^T. 87.] THE PASCHAL LAMB. 99 

whicli I could not tell how to drink. This brings poignantly 
to my remembrance one of the most trying hours of my life, 
and yet the support then received was wonderful. 

As I rode along the road in the course of this summer on a 
journey of business, my dear mother was brought to my re- 
membrance in such a very remarkable manner, that I seemed 
to have a spiritual interview with her ; and she was brought 
so near to my feelings, that I thought it probable I should 
never see her again until we met in eternity. I scarcely know 
how I felt, but it was as if my spirit accompanied hers into 
the regions above. I noted down the circumstance when I 
got home ; for it had made such an impression on my mind, 
that I should not then have been surprised to have heard of 
her departure.* 

The following instructive remarks occur in the Diary 
about this time : — 

10 mo. 27. — My retirement and reading this morning has 
been more tendering to my spirit than for a long time past. 
I read and considered the institution of the Passover, when 
the Israelites were led out of Egypt ; and it appears clear to 
me that the sprinkling the door-posts with the blood of the 
lambs, as commanded, was a type of our Saviour's blood 
which was shed for our transgressions, and that we must be 
saved by his becoming our paschal lamb. As the destroying 
angel only passed over the doors and preserved those who had 
received the mark, so can we only be saved by being willing 
to apply the blood of our dear Saviour to wash and cleanse 
•QS from our sins. "What a beauty there is in the connec- 
tion of Scripture truths when we read them with a simple 
heart prepared to receive the right impression which may be 
opened I 

The Friends of Minden and the little company of 
awakened people at Eidinghausen, who on his first 

* Tlie memorandum here referred to is in tlie Diary, under date of the 
IStli of the Sixth Month. 



100 FREDERICK SCHMIDT. [1823. 

coming to Germany had taken so firm a hold of John 
Yeardley's mind, continued to excite his religious sym- 
pathy, and he again visited them in the latter part of 
this year. 

(Minden.) — On Seventh-day last, the 1st of the Eleventh 
Month, I left home in company with some of my dear Pyr- 
mont friends to attend the Two-months' Meeting, and to 
spend a few days with my dear friends of this place. I lodge 
with Frederick Schmidt, and feel myself perfectly at home. 
It is a most orderly and agreeable family, consisting of him- 
self, daughter, and housekeeper; and the time passes pleas- 
antly away when I am only enough concerned to improve the 
opportunities afforded by this good man's company. He was 
one of the first in this place who was convinced of the re- 
ligious principles of Friends, and his beginning was small 
both in temporals and spirituals. I cannot but admire how 
his endeavors have been prospered. He remarked the other 
evening in conversation, that it was of great advantage to 
the Friends to persevere in their outward callings, and not 
to jump (as he expressed it) out of one thing into another. 
This would be the means of establishing their credit as men 
of business. 

11 mo. 7. — Sarah Grubb mentions^ that when she visited 
Minden, she met with great kindness and attention from a 
councillor of the place, who on their leaving accompanied 
them a little way out of the town to an inn, where he had 
provided coffee, and had invited a few of his friends to take 
leave of them. This was at the house of my worthy host 
[Frederick Schmidt], who then kept the inn at Kuckuk, and 
had for some time been under deep [religious] impressions. 
He related to me that her discourse in the meeting she had 
had in the town had affected him, and yet he could not give 
her his hand, but went into the garden to weep ; but after 
she had got into the carriage and driven from the door, she 
suddenly made a stop, came again into the house, and asked 

♦ Life of S. Grubb, 2nd ed., p. 219. 



^T. 37.] EIDINGHAUSEN. 101 

for him. He being called, she had a remarkable opportunity 
with him ; she told him she believed the Lord had a work for 
him to do in this place, and that he would have to stand fore- 
most in the rank, and when the time came he must not flinch 
from doing what his Master would require. This has in a 
remarkable manner been fulfilled to the present day, and 
affords an encouraging example to the poor tried servants of 
the Lord to be faithful to apprehended duty. Although they 
may not live to see the effect of their labors, yet their Lord 
and Master will not leave himself without a witness in the 
hearts of his people ; praised be his name. 

14:ih. Since Thomas Shillitoe and I visited Eidinghausen, 
there has been a remarkable revival to a sense of religion ; 
a number come together in a sort of society every First- day 
afternoon, to read, sing, and pray for the edification one of 
another. As all things have a beginning, this may perhaps 
prove a step to a more perfect way of worship. I had long 
felt inclined to visit the meeting in Eidinghausen, and had 
looked towards accomplishing it from Minden. 

I went there on the 9th inst., and my intention to be there 
being known a few days before caused many of these awakened 
people to attend the meeting so that the little school-room 
was quite full, and many stood in the passage. I was truly 
thankful to be amongst them, for it proved a most satis- 
factory season. They are a rustic set of folks, but have each 
a soul to save or to lose, and all souls are of equal value in 
the sight of the Judge of the whole earth. Lewis Seebohm 
kindly gave up his time to attend me as interpreter, for I 
still prefer help of this sort when it can be done through one 
who is so feelingly capable. I often feel as a poor wandering 
stranger in a strange land, and yet I dare not complain. The 
goodness of the Lord is great towards me; he opens the 
hearts of those whom I am concerned to visit, to receive me 
into their hearts and houses, so that it affords me great 
freedom in speaking to them on serious subjects relating to 
their best interests, both spiritual and temporal. I am con- 
vinced if we mean to be useful to a people of a strange land, 
all must be done in a spirit of love and humility ; with the 



102 CIRCUMSTANCES OF FRIENDS IN GERMANY. [1823. 

weak we must be willing to become weak ; only we must be 
on our guard and not flinch from our well-known testimonies. 

The reflection contained in the passage which follows 
is of deep significance, and the lesson it conveys is one 
which the Church has as much need to learn now as at 
any former period. 

loth. — We find recorded in the writings of our ancient 
Friends that occasionally a few words spoken in the course of 
common conversation made a deep impression on the minds 
of those to whom they were addressed. The cause must have 
been that they lived in a more retired state of mind, and were 
consequently better prepared to feel the smallest of good 
impressions in themselves, and were also more attentive to 
embrace every opportunity of improving the minds of others. 
I fail in this respect ; I do not live enough in what may be 
truly called a spirit of prayer. I must be more watchful over 
my thoughts, words and actions, and improve my seasons of 
retirement ; for there is no other way of preservation than by 
waiting and praying for a renewal of spiritual strength. 

John Yeardley then reverts, as he so often does, to 
the love of souls in Germany, which was the means of 
causing him to leave his native land, and which he says 
had not diminished during his eighteen months' resi- 
dence among them. To these thoughts he adds some 
considerations regarding the temporal condition of the 
Society of Friends there, on account of which he was 
often very solicitous. 

The situation and welfare of the Society here have long 
occupied the warmest feelings of my heart. I am of the mind, 
with other Friends who have visited these parts, that there is 
a precious hidden work begun in the hearts of many in Ger- 
many, who suffer under oppression, on account of the many 



JET. 37.] SCHEME FOR HELPING THEM. 103 

discouraging circumstances which have existed among them, 
and which yet prevail^ to the great hindrance of the Lord's 
work. There are causes for which no human remedy can 
be prescribed. I have often said in my heart, If the Lord 
help them not, vain is the help of man. Much has been 
done for them by our dear Friends in England, and much 
still remains to be done, in order that they may be preserved 
together and not become dispersed as though they had never 
been a people. 

The effectual means of help seems yet to fail, — that of 
putting the families in the way of helping themselves by suit- 
able employment. The families who live in the neighbor- 
hood of Minden, mostly on small parcels of land, have until 
now got on with a tolerable degree of comfort, by cultivating 
their land in sumnter and spinning yarn in winter ; but now 
the depression is so great that if they could be put into the* 
way of earning threepence a day, they would embrace it with 
thankfulness. I have been very difS.dent in proposing any 
plan for their assistance, knowing that some former proposals 
have failed of accomplishing the end. But I have consulted 
with those who are best acquainted with their situation, and 
we think it safest for them to continue their own employment 
of spinning yarn, and endeavor to mend their trade by 
placing it on this footing. They must spin such an article as 
I can make use of in sending it, with what I buy from other 
people, to my friends in the linen business in England. I am 
to give them a little higher price than they can elsewhere 
obtain, and those who have no flax of their own must have a 
little money advanced to purchase some, which they must 
repay in yarn. When the yarn is disposed of in England, 
and a profit on the same can be obtained, it must be dis- 
tributed among them as a premium to encourage industry 
and good management in producing a good article. If this 
does not answer, I cannot see any thing at present that will. 

How far this scheme was put in practice we are 
unable to say, but we beUeve it was not accompanied 
by any successful result. 



104 POLICE AXD FISCAL REGULATIONS. [1823. 

In the next entry he speaks of the advantage which 
he derived from keeping a diary. 

11 mo. 17. — I was this evening accidentally induced to 
read over a few of my formermemorandums; and it humbled 
my spirit to retrace the dealings of my merciful Father with 
me. I am glad that I have from time to time penned down 
a few remarks by way of diary, although it has been done 
interruptedly and very imperfectly. It proves a means of 
enabling me to see a wonderful concurrence in the ways of 
Divine Wisdom which has led me in a way that I knew not, 
and hitherto preserved me through the mercies of his love : 
praise be to his Name now and for ever. Amen. 

After his return from Minden he accompanied John 
and William Seebohm, who were going on a journey of 
business to Leipzig. They went by way of Brunswick 
and Halberstadt, and returned by Nordhausen and 
Eimbeck. In this tour through the heart of Germany, 
John Yeardley made many observations on the state of 
agriculture, the cities, and the character of the people. 
Of the last they met with several curious traits, some of 
them sufficiently annoying. 

On many great roads, says J. Y., there is a summer and a 
wdnter way, running parallel to each other, with a rail across, 
on which is a notice that the way is forbidden by a fine of 6g?. 
or 8c?. for each horse, that the traveller may know when to 
take the summer or the winter road. We stopped on the 
way [they were not far from Wolfenblittel] to give our horses 
a little bread, and our coachman drove to the side of the 
road to make way for carriages to pass. But he had inad- 
vertently gone over the setting on of the road ; and the road- 
master came to us, and told us we must not feed our horses 
there, as it was not allowed to drive over the stones on the side, 
under a penalty of three shillings per horse. The evening of 



^T. 37.] OF THE GERMAN" STATES. 105 

tlie same day we fed our horses at an inn, and walked before, 
leaving the man to follow us. I and my young friend W. S. 
sought the cleanest part of the way by walking in the course 
made for the water, which was green and clean ; but so soon 
as we came by the inspectors, who are mostly employed on 
the road, one of them told us we must mind for the future 
and keep the right footpath, or pay 6cL each. This I con- 
sidered as an infringement of English liberty, and was ready 
to reason with him on the subject ; but I reflected that I was 
a stranger, and that it is always better and more polite to 
submit quietly to the regulations of the country in which we 
live, than bring ourselves into difficulty through incivility or 
contention. 

In returning from Leipzig, J. Y. and his friends com- 
mitted a more serious offence against the pragmatical 
regulations of the German States. 

On our journey homewards we had much perplexity with 
some cloth, &c. which J. S. had bought in Leipzig to bring 
to Pyrmont. This arose from want of better information 
respecting the laws of the Prussian territory. They are ex- 
ceedingly strict as to duties. All kinds of wares are allowed 
to pass through the country at what may be called a reason- 
able excise ; but those travellers who have excise goods with 
them must preserve a certain road, called the Zoll-strasse. 
It was our lot to miss this road ; for apprehending ourselves 
at liberty to pursue what road we pleased, we took another 
way. But we found our mistake when we came to the place 
where the duty is paid ; for we were informed we had taken 
the wrong road, and that transit duty could not be received ; 
we must either pay the full excise as Avhen goods remain in 
the Prussian territory, or return back until we came again 
into the Zoll-strasse. It took some time to consider which 
was best to be done. To be sent about we knew not whither, 
and on roads scarcely passable, would prove a serious incon- 
venience ; and on the other hand it was exceedingly mortify- 
ing to pay for such a trifle so enormous an excise. The 
officer was very civil, but told us it was not in his power to 



106 LEAVES PYRMOXT [1324' 

do otherwise. We coocluded it would be best and cheapest 
to pay dearly for our error rather than be retarded on our 
journey. We had a regular receipt for what we paid, but 
inadvertently departing again from the appointed way, we 
were in danger of paying the full duty a second time, or hav- 
ing the goods taken from us. So much for travelling with 
excise goods. 

Early in 1824, John Yeardley returned for a few 
months to England. He had ingratiated himself so 
thoroughly into the esteem and love of his Pyrmont 
friends, that his departure even for a short time was the 
signal of lamentation through the whole meeting. On 
the 11th of the First Month he had a farewell meeting 
at Friedensthal, which was attended by almost all his 
friends. With his parting blessing he had some counsel 
to impart. 

1 have so much place, he says, in their minds, that what- 
ever I say, either in counsel or reproof, is always received in 
love. Such a scene I never witnessed ; the dear lambs all 
wept aloud ; we were indeed all melted together. May the 
Shepherd of Israel never leave them nor forsake them, and 
may they become willing to follow his leading. I can truly 
say that on their behalf my pillow has been often wet with 
my tears. 

On the 3rd of the Second Month, he left Friedensthal, 
accompanied by a young Friend whom he was to conduct 
to a temporary residence in England, and in whose re- 
ligious welfare he was deeply interested. While waiting 
in Hamburg for a vessel, he felt keenly his solitary 
situation in the world. 

2 mo, 9. — I think I never felt poorer in spirit and more 
discouraged than at present. It seems as if visiting my native 
land had no cheering prospect for me. If it were right in 



.ET. 38.] EETUKNS TO ENGLAND. 107 

the divine sight I could almost wish to spend the whole of 
my life in solitude ; but I must be willing patiently to suffer, 
and endeavor to fill the place appointed for me on this stage 
of action. 

A vessel sailed for England the day before their arri- 
val at Hamburg, a circumstance which at first made him 
regret he had not used more expedition on the way. But 
lie immediately recollected it might be for the best that 
he was left behind. This proved to be the case ; for the 
vessel with which he would have sailed, meeting vdth 
contrary winds and dark weather, ran aground, and was 
obliged to put back, and when J. Y. left the Elbe she 
was lying in Cuxhaven harbor. 

They landed at Hull on the 19 th. 



CHAPTER Y. 

FROM HIS RETURN TO ENGLAND IN 1824, TO THE COMMENCE- 
MENT OF HIS FIRST CONTINENTAL JOURNEY IN 1825. 

On setting foot again in England, the dejected state 
of mind which had accompanied him on the journey 
returned with renewed force. 

2 mo. 19. — I do not know how to describe my feelings in 
landing on my native shore : I feel a poor discouraged creature. 
May He who knows the sincerity of my heart be pleased to 
strengthen my poor mind, for I feel almost overwhelmed with 
fears and difficulties. 

Still deeper was his emotion on visiting again the 
home of former days. 

2 mo. 20. — Left Hull, and came by way of Selby and Wake- 
field to Barnsley. I felt my heart exceedingly burdened be- 
fore I reached the place : it seemed as if all the bitter cups I 
had drunk in former times were going to be handed to me 
afresh. This may not be, perhaps, altogether on my own 
account. There is at times a fellow-feeling with others ; and 
on my reaching this place, I soon felt my spirit dipped into 
sympathy with some of my dear connexions, who are not 
without their trials. 

A few days afterwards, in allusion to the religious 
service of Ehzabeth H. Walker of West Chester, U. S., in 
a public meeting for worship at Barnsley, he says : — 

I do not really know what is the matter, but I fear I am 
going backwards from all that is good. When I look at the 
usefulness of others, what an insignificant, useless being I 

appear ! 
(108) 



-aST. 88.] JOUENEY THEOUGH THE MIDLAXD COUNTIES. 109 

This lowly opinion of himself, however, was not to 
serve as. an excuse for idleness, and it was proposed to 
him to bear Elizabeth Walker company in a religious 
circuit in some of the midland counties, previous to the 
occurrence of the Yearly Meeting. He accepted the 
proposal ; and they travelled together through part of 
Staffordshire, Warwick, Worcester, and Oxfordshire, 
visiting the meetings of Friends, and sometimes inviting 
the attendance of the public. 

The dispirited state of mind which John Yeardley 
had brought with him from Germany accompanied him 
on this journey, and on the 30th of the Fourth Month 
he writes : — 

I walked last evening in the fields, in a solitary frame of 
mind, being very low in spirits on many accounts. My own 
unfaithfulness deprives me of strength to cast off* my burden 
as I go along; consequently I grow weaker and weaker, 
which is indeed diametrically opposite to growing stronger 
and stronger in the Lord. Lamentable case ! for a speedy 
alteration for the better ! 

Fifth-day, the 6th of Ffth Month, at Silford. — This is a 
pretty large meeting, and there are a good many sweet- 
looking young folks. The lovely countenances of such are 
always refreshing to me, and it is not much wonder if I have 
a little more openness for labor, which was the case in this 
place. But in general I sit and bemoan my own uselessness. 
I have been a burden to myself in this little journey, in 
fearing I might be so to my friends ; but I ought to be very 
thankful that they do not seem to think me so, but are 
desirous to encourage me. I think if it was otherwise, it 
would be more than I could bear. 

In the Fifth Month, he attended the Yearly Meeting 
in London. At the Meeting of Ministers and Elders, 
an unusual number of certificates were granted for reU- 



110 ON THE MINISTRY. [1824- 

gious service abroad. These various concerns drew from 
him the following reflections : — 

As I sat under the weighty consideration and disposal of 
these subjects, I felt a degree of rejoicing to spring in my 
heart, that there are still members who hold the promotion 
of the cause of righteousness in the earth dear to the best 
feelings of their hearts. It is indeed cause of heartfelt gra- 
titude that the Divine Master is directing the feet of his 
messengers not only to the borders of this isle, but also into 
distant parts of the earth. 

During the Yearly Meeting John Yeardley lodged at 
William Allen's, at Plough-court and Stoke Newington, 
and was introduced to several Friends with whom he 
had not before been acquainted. 

The acquaintance which I have made with many dear and 
valued Friends in the neighborhood of London has, I hope, 
been a little strength to me in the best things. It is truly 
pleasant to be treated with such genuine kindness ; but it is 
nothing for the soul to build upon, — we must look for a more 
sure foundation than the favor of the great and good. 

Elizabeth H. Walker had a meeting with the younger 
part of the Society in London and the neighbor- 
hood. In noticing this meeting J. Y. has some dis- 
criminating remarks on the exercise of the ministry. 

During this as well as many other meetings for worship, 
I sat under religious exercise, but could seldom believe it 
required of me to take part in the public ministry. I often 
think, when many exercised brethren and sisters are present, 
there would be a danger of interrupting the true gospel 
order, if all were not careful to wait on the Great Minister 
of the Sanctuary. If we patiently abide under the rightly 
baptizing power, what we may apprehend preparing in our 



^T. 38.] retur:^ to germaxy. Ill 

hearts for utterance may often be delivered by others, and 
we only have to say, as it were, Amen. We may also be 
brought into a right willingness to speak in the Lord's name, 
and still be excused ; this may be, perhaps, a preparation of 
an offering which may be called for at another place. O the 
importance of knowing the word rightly to be divided, and 
when and where the offering is required ! 

A part of Elizabeth Walker's errand in coming to 
Europe was to visit the Friends in Germany ; and it 
was proposed that John Yeardley should take charge 
of her and her companion, Christiana A. Price of Neath, 
on his return to Pyrmont. They went together through 
Essex and Suffolk, having meetings on their way ; but 
g,t Ipswich it appeared that C. A. Price's health was 
unequal to the journey, and Elizabeth Walker pro- 
ceeded to Hull to cross the water from thence with 
another company of Friends who were bound for the 
Continent. J. Y. was thus left to proceed alone to 
Pyrmont, and he sailed from Harwich on the 19th of 
the Sixth Month. When in Suffolk he went to Need- 
ham to see " dear ancient Samuel Alexander." 

I had, he says, long known this fatherly man by name and 
person, but had had no acquaintance with him until now : 
his company and conversation were exceedingly pleasant and 
instructive to me. In the evening I took a walk in a large 
plantation which he had himself planted when young, and 
had now lived to see afford him a comfortable retreat. 

John Yeardley was taken ill when in Suffolk, and on 
settling down again in his quiet home at Friedensthal he 
writes : 

7 mo. 15. — ^I am drinking salt-spring- water, and my health 
is mercifully restored. The air of this country seems to suit 



112 UX^VATCIIFULXESS. [1824. 

my constitution better than that of Enghnnd. Time is very 
precious. I think, to keep a more correct journal of what 
I do each day might be very useful, by inducing a more 
narrow scrutiny how each hour is spent ; for I know not how 
many more may be allowed me to prepare for eternity. 

To this resolution lie did not adhere. With the 
exception of two short entries in the same month, he 
wrote nothing in his diary for the remainder of the 
year. The difficulties of his position, perhaps a lack of 
sufficient employment, and the want of that instant 
watchfulness without which the disciple is ever prone 
to stray from his Master's side, seem to have again 
produced, as they did twelve months before, a season of 
spiritual famine. 

His own gloomy condition did not, however, altogether 
disable him from sympathizing with others. In a letter 
to his brother of the 4th of the Eleventh Month he 
says : — 

I have of late been in such a low tried state 6f mind, that I 
have been discouraged from writing thee, under an apprehen- 
sion I should say nothing that would afford thee any satisfac- 
tion in reading. But though I may not have it in my power to 
relieve thee, I hope it will not be unpleasant to thee to know 
that thou art still more dear and near to me than ever thou 
wast in the times of more apparent outward prosperity. It 
is a high attainment to know how to set a right value on 
perishable things, and it requires no small degree of fortitude 
to bear the depression of apparent temporary adversity, in 
that disposition of mind which becomes the character of a 
true Christian. Although, according to our apprehensions, 
the storm may last long, yet it most assuredly will blow over, 
and then greater will be our peace than if we had never 
known a tempest. 

On resuming his Diary, which he did in the 



^T 89.] SOKROW AND HUMILIATION. 113 

First Month of 1825, John Yeardley gives an account 
of the events which happened to him during the pre- 
vious few months. 

In the Seventh Month 1824, Thomas Shillitoe and 
Ehzabeth H. Walker came to Pyrmont, and to the 
latter J. Y. gave his assistance in various religious 
engagements. After her departure he again visited 
Minden, with the neighboring villages of Eidinghausen 
and Hille. His visit to the last-named place (1 mo. 13, 
1825) was marked by a singular circumstance. 

Finding a sudden draft [in my mind] to be at the reading 
meeting in Hille^ to begin at two o'clock, there seemed but 
little time ; however, proposing it to my dear friend John 
Eascbe, he was quite wilhng to accompany me, and driving 
quickly we came in due time. When the [meeting] was over, 
the Friends told me they thought it very remarkable that we 
should come unexpected!}^ on that day, and that what was 
communicated after the reading was particularly suited to the 
state of a woman Friend present, who was laboring under 
the temptation that she had committed the unpardonable 
sin, and could find no rest day or night. I could not prevent 
them from expressing their thankfulness for such a mark of 
Providential interference, in this way to afford the poor 
woman a little relief and encouragement. 

Four days afterwards, having then returned to 
Friedensthal, J. Y. adds : — " Since our visit to Hille, 
the person above-mentioned is dead !" 

The depression under which John Yeardley labored, 
from the loss of that comfortable presence of his Lord 
which had been almost from his youth as a lamp shining 
continually upon his head, seems to have reached its 
lowest point in the early part of this year. Under date 
of the 24th of the Second Month he says : — 

I have this morning once more been enabled to pour out 



114 CERTIFICATE FOR THE SOUTH OF FRANCE. [1825. 

my sorrowful spirit before the Father of mercies in a way 
that has afibrded me some relief and encouragement. In 
bitterness, and, I may almost say, in agony of soul have I 
spread before him some of those circumstances which have 
been a cause of unspeakable distress to me for many months 
past, and rendered me unfit for almost every service, temporal 
or spiritual. 

Thou knowest, O gracious Father, I long to have my ways 
and steps regulated by thy holy will. Therefore I beseech 
thee, have mercy on my faults, and blot out from thy remem- 
brance all my sins, and everything wherein I have in weak- 
ness offended thee ; and be pleased to give me strength to 
become more perfectly and lastinglj^ thine. O how sensibly 
do I feel my own weakness, and that without thee I can do 
nothing, not for a moment preserve my own steps. 

In the midst of his discouragement his mind was 
directed towards the accomplishment of another part of 
the commission which had been entrusted to him before 
he left England, — viz., to sojourn for a time amongst 
the Friends in the South of France. Accordingly, 
early in the Third Month he went to Minden, and laid 
before the Two-months' Meeting, his intention of going 
to Congenies for this purpose, and also of seeking a 
religious interview with some serious people in the 
neighborhood of Cologne. 

This information, he says, was received by my friends with 
much sympathy and, I trust, weightiness of spirit, and I felt 
a little strengthened by the expression of their feelings and 
unity with me in this concern. A certificate of their appro- 
bation was ordered to be drawn up. Ko creature on earth 
knows how this prospect humbles me. I always think I 
am dealt with in a remarkable manner, — somewhat different 
perhaps from others. Notwithstanding all the seemingly 
insurmountable dif6.culties which stand in the way, and which 
are far too numerous to particularize, my peace is connected 



^T. 89.] MARTHA SAVORY'S VISIT TO THE CONTINENT. 115 

witli my obedience. What will be the result I know not ; 
the way appears not yet quite clear as to the time of departure. 
O Lord, favor me to wait on thee for the spirit of discern- 
ment not to step forth in the wrong time. 

The obedience which he practised in committing him- 
self in simple faith to this religious prospect prepared 
the way for a temporal blessing, as well as for the return 
of inward joy. He little knew, when persecuted by the 
Accuser of the brethren, and mourning over the weak- 
ness of his own corrupt nature, that his Lord was about 
to provide for him a congenial and helpful companion, 
in the room of her whose loss had left him solitary in 
the world. Without this timely sacrifice of his own will, 
it could not have been so easy for him to make the 
journey to France in the way in which it was done, 
and which was the means of bringing about the union 
which shed so much comfort on the remainder of his 
life. 

Between two and three months after the meeting 
at Minden, he received the information that Martha 
Savory, accompanied by Martha Towell, was about to 
pay a religious visit to the Friends at Pyrmont and 
Minden. He had been introduced in London to Martha 
Savory as a minister of the gospel, and one who had 
been abroad in its service, but his acquaintance with 
her seems to have been slight.* On receiving this 
intelligence he writes : — 

The prospect of seeing a few dear Friends from my native 
land would be cheering, but I am really so cast down that I 

* The introduction was made by Thomas Shillitoe, at the tiine of 
the Yearly Meeting. He said to M. S., "Let me introduce thy brother 
to thee." ^^ Brother V she exclaimed, with surprise. *' Yes," answered 
the good old man ; "all who have been on the Continent are brothers 
and sisters." 



116 SINGULAR COINCIDENCE. [1825. 

seem as if I could not, and almost dare not, rejoice in any- 
thing. May this low proving season answer the end for 
which it is permitted ! 

As he apprehended the Friends who were coming 
from England might require a guide, John Yeardley 
went to meet them at Rotterdam. His journey, and 
the singular coincidence of Martha Savory's concern 
with his own, are described in a letter to his brother, 
written after his return from Holland. 

Friedenstlial, Pjrmont, 7 mo. 14, 1825. 

My dear Brother, 

On my return from Holland I received thy long and 
very interesting letter. Martha Savory and her companion 
Martha Towell are now acceptably with us. They expect to 
spend two or three months with us, and then we have some 
prospect of going in company to the South of France. As 
this has fallen out in a rather remarkakle manner, it may not 
be amiss just to explain it to thee. We were entire strangers 
to each other's concern ; but as soon as my friends in London 
heard of my prospect from the copy of the minutes of our 
Two-months' Meeting and of my certificate, dear William 
Allen wrote to me desiring a more particular description of 
my views, time of departure, &c., and mentioned at the same 
time M. S.'s concern, which had already passed the Quarterly 
Meeting, and it was fully expected she would be liberated 
[by the Meeting of Ministers and Elders] to visit Pyrmont 
and Minden, and afterwards, if suitable company offered, 
proceed to some parts of the banks of the Rhine, Switzer- 
land, and Congenies, in the south of France. I wrote to 
W. A., and explained to him my prospect, which was to visit 
a few individuals in the neighborhood of Cologne and pass 
through Switzerland to Congenies. I then received a letter 
from our dear friend M. Savory, stating that she and W. A. 
had been much struck with the remarkable coincidence in 
our views ; our prospects being to the same places and in the 



MT. 39.] JOUKNEY TO EOTTEKDAM. 117 

same way ; and tliat it seemed in the pointing of TrutTi for us 
to join in company. 

Fifth mo. 26th, I left Friedensthal to visit my friends in 
Minden and its neighborhood ; and after spending about 
two weeks there, I felt very much inclined to give our friends 
the meeting at Eotterdam. I set off, accordingly, the 7th of 
the Sixth Month, and travelled seven days through a desert 
country to Amsterdam. I went almost one half of the way 
by water, across the Zuider Zee from Zwolle to Amsterdam. 
After spending a few days in Amsterdam, I went, with 
J. S. MoUet, who is the only Friend in that city, to 
Rotterdam, where we met with M. S. and M. T. Thomas 
Christy, junior, had accompanied them from London. M. S. 
had letters of recommendation to many persons in Amster- 
dam, whom we visited ; and though some of them Avere first- 
rate characters in the place, it is surprising with what 
affection and kindness they received us. J. S. Mollet accom- 
panied us to Pyrmont. 

An account of his journey, both going and returning, 
is also contained in J. Y.'s diary : it presents some addi- 
tional notices which claim a place here. 

Before leaving Minden for Eotterdam, he twice visited 
Eidinghausen, and saw some young men who were under 
suffering because of their refusal to serve in the militia. 

One in particular (he says, in writing up the diary), a sweet 
young man, at this moment may be in torture. 0, how I 
feel for him ! My soul breathes to the Almighty Father of 
mercies on his account, that he may be strengthened to 
endure all with patience for the sake of his Lord, who has 
given him a testimony to bear against the spirit of war and 
fighting. 

At the conclusion of the second meeting at Eiding- 
hausen, he says : — 

The meeting was fully attended, and I afterwards dined 



118 AMSTERDAM. [1825. 

alone in the schoolroom with a light heart. I thought I could 
saj, After the work is done, food tastes sweet. 

At Rotterdam, John Yeaidley and his companions 
made the acquaintance of a " very interesting mis- 
sionary student, who believes he has a call to go on a 
mission to the Greeks, and is v^aiting for an opening : 
his name is Glttzlaff." At Amsterdam, a letter from 
Giitzlaff introduced them to the priest of the Greek 
church in that city, Helanios Paschalides, a man of 
child-like spirit, and long schooled in affliction, who had 
become awakened to his own religious wants, and who 
believed himself called to return to Greece and instruct 
his countrymen. These two interviews are memorable, 
as being, probably, the commencement of the strong 
interest which J. and M. Y. evinced in the Greek 
people, and which issued, years afterwards, in a religious 
tour in that country. At Zeist, where there is a settle- 
ment of Moravians, the ministers, finding the Friends 
desired to convene their members in a meeting for 
worship, readily consented. 

The meeting, writes J. Y., was more fully attended than 
we had expected. There is much sweetness of spirit to be 
felt about these people, but a want of stillness. I thought 
some of the hearers were prepared to see further than their 
teachers, and the time may yet come when some may be 
drawn into a more spiritual worship. We left them a few 
tracts, and they kindly gave us a few little books of theirs. 
It is remarkable in what a spirit of love they received us. 

The Friends reached Pyrmont on the 1st of the 
Seventh Month, and shortly afterwards made a visit 
amongst the members from house to house in that place, 
and at Minden. On the 28th they visited a number of 
seriously awakened persons at Lenzinghausen, who felt 



^T. 39.] LENZINGHAUSEX. 119 

the necessity of spiritual worship, and to whom their 
hearts were much enlarged in gospel love. 

Walking in the garden, writes John Yeardlej, in a very 
solemn and solitary frame of mind before the meeting, I had 
such a feeling as I scarcely ever remember to have had before. 
I thought I saw, as in the vision of light, as if a people would 
be gathered in that neighborhood to the knowledge of the 
truth. It appeared to me to be in the divine appointment 
that our dear M. S. was come to visit Germany, and a large 
field of labor seems to be appointed for her in this land if she 
is faithful. 

The next two months were occupied with various 
religious services, public and private, not omitting 
meetings at Eidinghausen and Hille, where, as on former 
occasions, J. Y. found his heart to go out towards the 
people with strong emotions of Christian love. About 
150 attended at the former, and 300 at the latter place. 



CHAPTER VI. 

HIS FIRST CONTINENTAL JOURNEY. 

1825-6. 

The time was now come for Jolin Yeardley and 
Martha Savory to pursue their journey to the Rhine, 
Switzerland and France. They left Pyrmont on the 1 1th 
of the Tenth Month, 1825, and beside Martha Towel), 
were accompanied as far as Basle by William Seebohm 
as interpreter. Every member of the party wrote in 
one way or other an account of the journey, and we 
have availed ourselves of these various sources in the 
following narrative. 

Passing through Paderborn, they arrived at Herdecke 
on the 1 3th. Regarding his feelings in this place John 
Yeardley writes : — 

This morning T was greatly dejected, and fearful we might 
find none of the people whom we were seeking. As I was 
walking pensively outside the town, I recollected what 1 once 
read in ''Cecil's Remains," — that a way may suddenly open 
before us when we the least expect it. This was now to be 
verified ; for after we had entered the carriage with the inten- 
tion of going to Elberfeld, and while we were waiting for a 
road- ticket, I accidentally fell into conversation with our 
hostess, and making inquiry for people of religious charac- 
ter, learnt that there were a number of such in the neighbor- 
hood. 

The Friends alighted, and sent for a member of this 
little society who resided in the town. He informed 
(120) 



MT. 39.] ELBERFELD. 121 

them that a meeting was held at Hageney, about six 
miles distant, at the house of a pastor named Hiicker. 
Being disposed to visit this pastor, they took their 
informant with them as guide, turned their horses in 
the direction opposite to Elberfeld, and drove along a 
very bad road to his house. They found him occupied 
in teaching some poor children. He told them that 
their visit was opportune and remarkable, for that he 
had been denounced as a delinquent before the Synod 
of Berlin, which had sent him a string of questions on 
doctrine and church-government. He had returned a 
reply to the questions, and was then waiting the deter- 
mination of the synod, whether he was to be displaced 
from his cure or not. The Friends examined his an- 
swers, and were well satisfied with them: the worship 
which he and his little flock (about thirty in number) 
practised was of a more spiritual character than that of 
the national church. Martha Savory expressed her 
deep sympathy with him in his diflicult and painful 
situation, and John Yeardley also addressed him in 
words of consolation and encouragement. 

At Elberfeld, where they arrived on the 15th, they 
met with several interesting persons. One of these, a 
young pastor named Ball, became greatly endeared to 
them. He informed them that when he had been 
severely tempted, he had found support and deliverance 
in silent waiting on the Lord. Another was Pastor 
Lindel, who resided at some distance from the city, in 
the Wupperthal; he had been brought up a Eoman 
Catholic, had seen many changes, and suffered not a 
little persecution. He took them to see a neighbor, an 
aged man, weak in body, but strong and lively in spirit. 
This man told them he was present at a meeting at 



122 DUSSELDORF. [1825. 

Miihlheim held by Sarah Griibb, about thirty years 
before; and that, although ninety years old, he recol- 
lected the words with which she concluded her dis- 
course : " By this shall all men know that ye are my 
disciples, if ye have love one to another." This love, 
say the narrators of the occurrence, was felt amongst us 
on this occasion, and at parting the good old man gave 
us his blessing. 

They quitted Elberfeld on the 19th, and proceeded 
to Diisseldorf, where the reception they met with was 
equally open and gratifying. They spent an evening 
at Kaiserswerth with Pastor Fliedner, who was occupied 
in vigilantly guarding a little flock of Protestants sur- 
rounded by unscrupulous Romanists. He evinced much 
interest in the management of prisons, and was endeav- 
oring to introduce improvements in that of Diisseldorf: 
he had met with Martha Savory in one of her visits at 
Newgate* 

The next day they went to Diisselthal, and inspected 
the institution there. The Count Von-der-Recke con- 
ducted them himself through every department. 

His countenance, says John Yeardley, evinces the magna- 
nimity and kindness of his heart ; it is remarkable and precious 
that so young a man should dedicate his whole time and for- 
tune for the benefit of the orphan and the destitute. 

At Creveldt, the next town where they stopped, 
Pastor MoHnaar and his wife, wdio were Mennonists 



* Pastor riiedner has since become more extensively known "by the 
institution for Deaconesses which he has founded at Kaiserswerth, 
where, with many other useful and exemplary women, Florence 
Nightingale was trained. Kaiserswerth has hecome the parent of 
several other kindred institutions. 



JET. 39.] CKEVELDT — MENNONISTS. 123 

received them in a very cordial manner: the latter had 
seen Thomas Shillitoe at Amsterdam. J. Y. relates 
several visits which these worthy persons and some of 
their Christian friends paid to them at the inn. 

22nd. — In the evening Pastor Molinaar came, with his wife 
and some friends, to tea. They inquired very narrowly re- 
specting onr principles. Pastor M. turned the conversation 
on women's preaching, and, after some explanation, appeared 
to be pretty well satisfied with our views on this subject. The 
Mennonists hold strongly to the use of "Water Baptism, and 
the pastor and his wife defended this practice, the latter with 
much earnestness. But when we had unfolded our senti- 
ments, and William Seebohm had read a passage from Tuke's 
"Principles," the pastor, seeing that we aimed only at the 
spiritual sense, acknowledged that he had often queried with 
himself whether the usage could not properly be dispensed 
with, and said that he intended still further to examine the 
question. Our certificates were then read ; and after we had 
conversed on our church discipline, the company separated in 
mutual love. 

The Friends inquired of the Mennonists whether any 
of their Society would incline to sit with them on the 
First-day evening. 

Our friend, Martha Savory, told them we could not promise 
that anything should be uttered, seeing this could only take 
place through the immediate operation of the Holy Spirit. 
At the appointed time there assembled about fifty persons. 
After a short conversation they seated themselves, and when 
we had sat awhile in silence, M. S. found herself moved to 
address them in a feeling manner, W. S. interpreting ; and I 
relieved my mind in Grerman as well as I was able. Before 
we separated. Pastor Molinaar rose, and in the name of the 
rest expressed his heartfelt satisfaction, addiog that he hoped 
we should remember them for good, as they should not fail to 
pray for our preservation. 



124 MUHLHEIM. [1825. 

24:th. — We told Pastor M. that it would be agreeable if be 
and any others of bis friends who wished to take leave of us 
would comedo the hotel. At seven o'clock, instead of a few 
as we expected, there came about thirty. The ladies seated 
themselves quite sociably, and took out their work, but were 
evidently prepared to lay it aside in the hope of having an- 
other religious sitting. But as we believed there were those 
present who had come from too great a desire to hear words, 
we were on the guard not to satisfy this excited inclination ; 
anS the evening was spent in agreeable conversation. Before 
we separated, however, we thought it well to read our Yearly 
Meeting's Epistle, which was acceptable to all. Pastor M. 
especially was pleased with the part about church-disciplinC; 
and said he considered it of real advantage that the epistle 
had been read in that company, as there were several young 
women present who might receive benefit from it. 

Feeling attracted towards the inhabitants of Miihlheim 
on the E-uhr, the Friends again turned out of the direct 
road and crossing the Rhine a little beyond Duisburg, 
arrived in the evening at Miihlheim. They found a 
company of Separatists in the neighborhood of the 
town, some of whom they visited; and the next day 
they passed over the Ruhr, and, with the assistance of a 
school-master, convened a meeting for worship. At the 
time appointed nearly three hundred persons assembled, 
mostly of the poorer class. They were seated in a large 
school-room, the men on one side and the women on the 
other, waiting in silence. They had a good meeting, 
and at the conclusion the auditory expressed their un- 
willingness to part, and their desire that those who had 
ministered to them should visit them again. 

On the 27th, after calling upon some descendants of 
Gerhard Tersteegen, our Friends proceeded through 
Diisseldorf to Cologne. They were disappointed of 



^T. 39.] NEUWIED -THE IIsTSPIRIRTEX. 125 

finding in tlie neighborhood of this city, that company 
of religious people on Avhose account they had felt much 
interested, and of whom they had heard -that " they 
held principles like the Quakers, and were as obstinate 
in them as they are." They did no more here than call 
upon a few serious persons in the city, and then went 
forwards to Neuwied, hoping there to hear of them. 

At Neuwied, besides becoming acquainted with the 
Moravian preachers and others, they were called upon 
by some of the Inspirirten, who invited them to their 
meetings. They attended one of these ; but, being dis- 
satisfied with the manner of the service, and not finding 
relief for their spiritual exercise, though the opportunity 
of speaking was ofi"ered without reserve, they in turn 
invited the company to meet with them the next morning 
after the manner of Friends. The meeting was held to 
mutual satisfaction, and one of the leading men amongst 
the Inspirirten expressed the hope that it would be 
blessed to them ; for he was, he said, sensible of the want 
of less activity and more of silent waiting in their re- 
ligious assemblies. 

The society to which these people belonged divided 
in 1818 into two branches, after an awakening which 
took place that year ; those who separated belie^ang it 
to be incumbent upon them to lead more self-denying 
lives, and dwell more closely under the influence of the 
Holy Spirit. This new connection was the people of 
whom our Friends had heard ; and they learnt that they 
had retired to a place called Schwartzenau, near Berlen- 
burg, a small town at the eastern end of the barren hilly 
region known as the Sauerland. The distance of this 
place from Neuwied is considerable, and the roads 
amongst the worst in Germany; but John Yeardley 



126 JOURNEY TO BERLENBURG. [1825. 

and Martha Savory apprehended they could not peace- 
fully pursue their journey without attempting to visit 
them. 

Accordingly they left Neuwied on the 1st of the 
Eleventh Month, and proceeded to Montabauer. The 
road led them at first amongst some of the choicest 
scenery of the Rhine ; but after a while they left the 
river and struck into the interior of the country, in a 
north-easterly direction. The next day they passed 
through a place where, a few months before, a Diligence 
had been robbed. The robbers, who had been taken a 
fortnight after the offence, were then, as they were in- 
formed, in Limburg gaol, and were to be hanged the next 
day. They were ten in number, all members of one 
family. At Burbach they met with an English landlord, 
thirty-five years resident in Germany ; he was delighted 
to see his fellow-countrymen, and exerted himself to 
give them the best entertainment his house afforded. 
The country they passed through was very hilly, and 
overgrown with forest ; now and then a solitary dwell- 
ing was seen in the bottom of the deep valleys. 

On the 3rd they came to Siegen, an ancient and 
antique town on the side of a high hill, looking, as one 
of the party observed, as though they had reached the 
end of the world. And, indeed, it seemed almost like 
the end of the civilised world ; for they were informed 
that the road from thence to Berlenburg was in such a 
miserable condition that they could take their carriage 
no farther. They resolved, however, to make the at- 
tempt, and providing themselves with a tandem horse 
{yorspami) and a guide, and sending on their luggage, 
they set forth on the way to Letze, a village where they 
proposed to lodge ; but the waters were abroad from the 



^T. 39.] .TOURNEY TO BERLENBUEG. 127 

overflow of the rivers, and the road being extremely 
narrow, and the ruts deep, they made very slow 
progress. Sometimes the way was so impracticable 
that they had to take the carriage through the woods 
which skirted the road. Darkness and rain coming on 
obliged them to halt for the night at Netphen, and seek 
shelter in the humble dwelling of a woman, who at first 
took alarm at the unexpected appearance of so many 
strangers. The account which the guide gave respecting 
the travellers dispelled her fears, and she did what she 
could by hospitality to make up for the scantiness of 
her accommodation. She gave them also some in- 
formation respecting the Inspirirten, whom they were 
on the way to visit, speaking favorably of them. The 
next morning, before they started, they were able to 
ofler her spiritual good in return for her temporal kind- 
ness, John Yeardley ministering to her condition under 
religious exercise; and they trusted his words found 
entrance into her soul. 

On the 4th they pursued their way, up hill and down, 
the carriage sometimes becoming so firmly fixed in the 
narrow deep ruts, that it was necessary to take out the 
horses, and for the men of the party, with the assistance 
of passers-by, to lift it over to more even ground. 

At length they arrived at Erndebriick, and drove to 
an inn; but not finding their luggage, they went to 
another, and while they were preparing to start for 
Berlenburg, William Seebohm went to the Custom-ofiice 
to show the ticket of clearance they had received on 
entering the Prussian territory at Burbach. This ticket 
should have obviated all delav attendant on the ex- 
amination of the luggage; but it happened, most unfor- 
tunately, that the custom ofiicer was the landlord of the 



128 THEY ARE PUT UNDER ARREST. [1825. 

inn they first came to. Their leaving his house without 
taking refreshment was, in his eyes, an unpardonable 
offence, and on William Seebohm presenting to him the 
ticket, his countenance and language betrayed the pas- 
sion which raged in his breast. He declared their 
trunks should be examined in the strictest manner; 
and when they represented the necessity they were 
under of speedily pursuing their journey, and desired 
him to despatch the business as quickly as possible, he 
replied by detaining them until they were obliged to 
send back the horse and guide, and consent to pass the 
night under his roof. He then demanded their pass- 
ports, and finding they had not been vise^d at all the 
towns through which they had passed, and that the 
travellers had departed from the route described in 
them, he sent for a gendarme, and placed them under 
arrest. They were not allowed to take anything from 
their trunks without being watched by the gendarme ; 
and when they took out a letter of recommendation, 
written by Dr. Steinkopf to the clergyman of the place, 
whom they had requested to call upon them, the gen- 
darme insisted on first reading it. On their expostu- 
lating with the landlord at being treated in this manner, 
instead of making a direct reply, he strutted up and 
down the room, repeating continually, " Ja, ja, ja, ja! 
they shall know what they went away from my house 
for, and that there is a custom-ofi[ice here." The Friends 
took their evening meal, as is usual in Germany, in one 
of the sleeping-rooms — that which had been allotted to 
Martha Savory and Martha Towell. Into this chamber, 
when they had eaten, the landlord brought a party of 
eight or nine men to take their supper. After supper 
the men smoked, and some of them did not even refrain 



^T. 39.] JUDICIAL EXAMINATION". 129 

from showing their ill-breeding in a more disagreeable 
way. William Seebohm overheard the landlord and the 
gendarme say to each other, " These people are travel- 
ling this way to visit the Separatists, and strengthen 
them in their religious opinions ; but we will disappoint 
them." 

The next morning they were favored with a short 
season of solemn communion, in which they were given 
to believe that the Name of the Lord would be their 
strong tower. Their liberation, in fact, was near ; for 
their envious jailor, finding probably no excuse for longer 
detaining them, suffered them to depart, but sent the 
gendarme to guard them as far as Berlenburg. The 
man proved to be an excellent guide, and being eager 
to bring them to the magistrate of that tovni, where they 
could be more effectually checked in their schismatical 
object, he was very useful in shouldering the carriage 
when they came to a stand in the miserable roads. 

The town of Berlenburg presented a dismal spectacle, 
the greater part having recently been burnt down ; so 
that they had some difficulty in making their way 
through the ruins. They were subjected to no delay 
at the Custom-house, but, before being allowed to go to 
an inn, were conducted by the gendarme to the Castle, 
to be examined by the Landrath, or magistrate. While 
John Yeardley and William Seebohm were taken into 
the justice-chamber, Martha Savory and Martha Towell 
remained in the carriage, where they were presently 
surrounded by a crowd, who gazed with astonishment 
at their equipage, no such vehicle having been seen in 
the town for many years, aud probably nev'er any 
persons in such attire. Being weary of waiting, and 
anxious to know the result of the examination, they lefb 



130 LIBERATION. [1825. 

the carriage and ascended to the magistrate's room. 
They were poHtely received, and arrived just as he 
had concluded the examination and was declaring the 
Friends entirely free from the requisitions of the law. 
The letters of recommendation which they presented 
were very helpful in procuring this result. At the 
Landrath's request, they stated the object of their jour- 
ney, and the reasons which had induced them to deviate 
from the route described in the passports, of all which 
he caused a note to be taken. At the conclusion he 
politely dismissed them with the salutation, " Go where 
you will, in God's name ;" and the abashed and disap- 
pointed gendarme was obhged to imitate his superior 
and make them a parting bow. The magistrate referred 
them to two of the citizens, for information regarding 
the Separatists, but remarked that he considered a visit 
to Schwartzenau at that critical moment would not be 
without danger. 

One of the persons on whom the Landrath recom- 
mended the Friends to call was the Inspector of the 
Lutheran or State Church of the country ; and on the 
6th, which was First-day, after a time of worship in 
their own apartment, they received a visit from this 
personage. Wishing to act with entire openness, they 
informed him of their desire to see the Separatists, and 
invited him to accompany them. He gave them the 
names of several with whom they might freely have 
intercourse. As the interview proceeded mutual con- 
fidence increased, particularly after reading their certi- 
ficates ; and the Inspector expressed himself gratified 
with the liberality entertained by Friends towards peo- 
ple of other religious persuasions. 

It snowed all the next day, and the roads were deep 



MT. 39.] THE OLD SEPAKATISTS. 131 

in water, so that M. S. and M. T. remained in-doors ; 
but J. Y. and W. S. walked to Homburgshausen, a 
village about a mile and a-half from Berlenburg, to call 
upon an aged man, a Separatist of the old connection. 
He had heard of their arrival, and was overjoyed to see 
them ; he looked upon it as a providential occurrence 
that they should have been sent there at that juncture. 
His forefathers, he said, had been settled there many 
years, and had hitherto enjoyed liberty of conscience ; 
but now he feared they were about to be deprived of 
that privilege. Before the Friends left Berlenburg, he 
called at their inn with several more of his society ; he 
appeared to be a truly pious man, and looked, they say, 
exactly like a good old Friend. He declared himself to 
be fully convinced of the value of silent worship, but 
said that their people in general were not prepared to 
adopt it; however they rejected outward baptism, and 
the use of the bread and wine, and refused to bear 
arms. He had been many times summoned before the 
magistrates to be examined upon his religious belief. 
On one of these occasions the Landrath asked why he 
did not take the bread and wine, and why he did not 
have his children baptised. He answered that if he 
was to conform to these ceremonies it would be as 
though he had received a sealed letter in which nothing 
was written. He and his people were solicitous with 
the Friends to have a meeting with them ; but the minds 
of John Yeardley and his companions were pre-occupied 
with a desire first to see the New Separatists, who were 
then under persecution, and they did not think it proper 
to accede to the request. 

In reply to a message which they sent to some of the 
new society, they received, through a young woman 



132 THE NEW SEPARATISTS. [1825 

(for the men were afraid to come to the inn), a pressing 
invitation to visit some of them who Uved in a retired 
spot called Schellershammer, not far distant. They 
immediately accepted the invitation. The road, which 
was impassable for a carriage, was covered with mud 
and water. They were received into a very humble 
dwelling by a pious young man and his family, with 
whom also they found some of the New Separatists from 
Schwartzenau. On sitting down with this company 
the restraining presence of the Lord was felt, under 
which they remained for some time in silence. Then 
the poor people opened to them their situation with 
humility and freedom. The young man above-men- 
tioned had just drawn up a statement of their religious 
principles, which had been sent to the authorities. This 
statement he showed to the Friends, as also a letter to 
the King of Prussia, which had been prepared by one 
of their ministers, but which, from its lofty assumption 
of prophetic authority, they could not approve. These 
people called their ministers. Instruments; and they 
had fallen into the specious error of attributing to their 
effusions, whether spoken or written, equal authority 
wdth the Holy Scriptures. On other. points their prin- 
ciples resembled those of Friends; as the disuse of 
outward ceremonies and of oaths, and their testimony 
against war. It was on these accounts that they were 
persecuted. They appeared to dwell under the cross 
of Christ, and to live in much quietness of spirit. 
Under the existing circumstances the Friends did not 
feel bound to appoint a general religious meeting with 
these people. They contented themselves, therefore, 
with unfolding their sentiments in conversation, giving 
them books, and before they left Berlenburg, addressing 



MT. 39.] KANEBERG — VISIT TO AN " INSTRUMENT." 133 

them by letter, in which they enlarged particularly on 
the subject of the ministry. They also left some copies 
of their Friends' books with the old society ; and both 
parties declared their belief that the visit they had re- 
ceived was in the order of Divine Providence, and took 
leave of them in love and confidence. 

The friends quitted Berlenburg on the 9th of the 
Eleventh Month, and proceeded towards Frankfort. 
After a day's journey over bad roads, they were glad to 
find themselves once more on the chaussee. They ar- 
rived on the 11th at Frankfort, where they called on a 
few pious individuals, but stayed a very short time in 
the city, being desirous of visiting some Old and New 
Separatists at Lieblose, near Gelnhausen, about twenty- 
four miles from Frankfort. 

The next morning they accordingly went to Geln- 
hausen, and had social interviews with members of both 
associations, but failed to make use of the opportunity 
they had of holding a meeting for worship with the Old 
Separatists, which they afterwards regretted. 

They then went forward to E-aneberg, about six miles 
distant, to see the Instrument who wrote the letter to 
the King of Prussia which was shown to them at Schel- 
lershammer. They found him a young man, inhabiting 
an apartment in a lonely castle, romantically situated 
on a high hill. The access to the spot was through a 
forest, and by a very bad road. Whatever prejudice in 
regard to him they might have imbibed from the style 
of his letter was at once dispelled by his appearance; 
his look was so humble, so devoted, and with such 
" extreme sweetness of countenance." John Yeardley 
and Martha Savory conversed with him a long time ; he 
did not rightly comprehend the nature of the Christian 



134 PFORZHEIM — HENRY KIENLIN. [1825. 

ministry, but he listened calmly and patiently to all 
they had to say. They left some books with him, and 
received some in return, descriptive of the awakening 
which gave rise to the division in the society of In- 
spirirten. He was then about to set out on foot to pay 
a religious visit to the members of his own profession in 
various parts of the country ; when at home he worked 
at his trade, which was that of a carpenter. 

The party retraced their steps to Hanau, and the next 
day pursued their way southwards. They passed through 
Darmstadt and Heidelberg to Pforzheim. Here they 
called on Henry Kienlin, whom they found a Friend in 
principle and practice, and who had given many proofs 
of his fidelity to his principles by the persecution he had 
endured from his relations, and the pecuniary loss he 
had suffered for refusing to comply with ecclesiastical 
and military demands. He was a man of station and 
influence in the town. He had not previously had per- 
sonal acquaintance with any members of the Society 
of Friends, but had read many of their writings. He 
accompanied the travellers five miles out of the town to 
a little flock of Separatists, who had not yet obtained 
religious liberty, and to whom it was forbidden under 
a severe penalty to attend meetings held by strangers. 
On the visiters entering the house of one of them, a 
number presently collected ; and as they stood together, 
a solemn feeling pervaded the assembly, and John 
Yeardley was moved to address them in gospel testi- 
mony. Henry Kienlin followed, explaining the princi- 
ples of Friends clearly, and giving them some suitable 
advice. Thev were laborinsr under the want of dis- 
cipline and organization, and of some one properly to 
represent their case to the government. Some of them 



iET. 89.] STUTTGARDT AXD MUHLHAUSEN. 135 

called the next day at Pforzheim, to see the Friends 
again before they left. 

The next place where they halted was Stuttgardt, to 
which city H. KienHn gave them his company. Here 
they visited Queen Catharine's Institution, a school for 
the training of girls in reduced circumstances, as 
teachers, &c., where 170 young persons were being 
educated. They were also introduced to a number of 
pious individuals, and among them to Pastor Hoffmann 
of Kornthal, whose excellent institution they were 
unable at this time to visit. An appointment had been 
made for them to meet at Basle Louis A. Majolier of 
Congenies, who was to serve as their guide and French 
interpreter through Switzerland and France, and they 
felt obliged on being informed of this appointment to 
pursue their journey more quickly than they otherwise 
would have done. 

Returning to Pforzheim, they stopped at Miihlhausen, 
where they called on Miiller, minister of a congregation, 
consisting of 170 persons, who had separated a few years 
before from the Catholics. This young man received 
them with openness and affection, and before they 
parted, John Yeardley had something to say to him 
under religious exercise, which he received in the love 
in which it was spoken. From Pforzheim they went 
direct to Basle, through Freiburg. On their arrival 
they were much disappointed to find that Louis Majolier 
had waited for them many days, and hearing no tidings 
of them, had returned to Geneva, supposing they had 
gone on to that city by another route. 

At Basle they were introduced to many pious persons, 
conspicuous among whom was Blumhardt, inspector of 
the Mission-house, who behaved towards them " as a 



136 BASLE. [1825. 

loving and Idnd father in Christ." He encouraged them 
in their concern to have a rehgious meeting with the 
students. The meeting took place in the evening when 
the young men were collected for supper and devotion ; 
they received the word which was preached to them in 
gospel love, and manifested towards our friends no small 
degree of tenderness and affection. John Yeardley 
says : — 

We had reason to believe there are among them many 
precious young men who are preparing for usefulness. The 
grounds on which this place is conducted are different frpm 
most of the kind. None are sent out bat those who can 
really say they feel it to be their rjHgious duty to go to any 
certain people or country. A ciweet young man, who was 
extremely attentive to us, Charles Haensel, is since gone to 
Sierra Leone to teach the poor negroes, from a conviction of 
duty. 

One day during their sojourn, C. Haensel took them 
to a meeting for worship, held in the house of C. F. 
Spittler. 

• J. Y. says, we sat until they had performed part of their 
worship, and then the leader signified to the company that a 
few Friends from England were present, and told us that if we 
had anything to offer we had full liberty to do so. Silence 
ensuing, dear M. S. found herself constrained to address them 
in a way suited to the occasion ; I was also enabled to express 
what came before me. They afterwards expressed their 
thankfulness for the opportunity. 

From Basle William Seebohm returned to Pyrmont, 
and the English Friends, hoping that they might meet 
Louis Majolier at Berne, went forward to that city, but 
were again disappointed. 



MT. 39.] ZURICH— THE GES3NER FAMILY. 137 

Although they were anxious to reach Geneva as 
quickly as possible, the attraction of gospel love towards 
Zurich was so strong that they could not continue their 
journey until they had visited that city. They arrived 
there on the 2nd of the Twelfth Month. The state of 
their own feelings and the refreshing Christian inter- 
course which awaited them are thus described in the 
Diary : — 

First-day, we sat down to hold our little meeting. It was 
to me a low time, but I still thought the hand of divine help 
was near to comfort us, and before the close dear M. S. was 
drawn into supplication in a way which expressed the feelings 
of all our hearts. After this season of spiritual refreshment, 
we called on Professor Gessner, who, with his wife and 
family, was truly glad to see us. Being near dinner-time, 
we could not stay long ; but their daughter offered to accom- 
pany us to her aunt's this afternoon, and accordingly came 
to our inn, and went with us to " Miss" Lavater, who, with 
Gessner's wife, is a daughter of the pious author Lavater. 
She received us with open arms, but spoke only German, or 
at least but very little French, so that M. S. conversed with 
her in German. She spoke of Stephen Grellet with much in- 
terest and affection : he lives in the remembrance of all in 
this country who have seen and known him, as well as Wil- 
liam Allen. How pleasant it is to find that such devoted 
instruments have left such a good savor behind them I 
Wherever we follow dear Stephen, his presence has made 
a sufficient introduction to us ; but I regret exceedingly my 
own incapability of being sufficiently useful in these precious 
opportunities which we meet with : but, as we often say in 
our little company. This is like a voyage of discovery ; and 
our humble endeavors, however weak, may have a tendency 
to open the way for others who may be made more exten- 
sively useful, should such ever be led to visit the solitary parts 
where we have been. 

Wewereinvited to drink tea this afternoon by our friend 
10 



138 BERNE. [1825. 

Gessner, and on a nearer acquaintance found this a precious 
family ; his wife is a sweet-spirited person, and their daugh- 
ters pious young women. One of them, in particular, I 
thought not only bore the mark of having been with her 
Saviour, but a desire was also expressed in her countenance 
to abide with him : may He who has visited her mind draw 
her more and more by the cords of his love and preserve her 
from the evil which is in the world ! When tea was ended, 
we dropped into silence, and Pastor Gessner offered up a 
prayer from the sincerity of his heart, and it was evidently 
attended by the spirit of divine grace and life. Afterwards 
dear M. S. and I expressed what was on our minds ; I inter- 
preted for her as well as I could, and I hope they understood 
it. We were all much tendered in sympathy together, and 
I think the visit to this family will not soon be forgotten : 
we took leave of them in the most affectionate manner, they 
expressing sincere desires for our preservation. , 

On their return to Berne they met with some pious 
ladies : 

One of whom, says John Yeardley, spoke German with 
me, and entered pretty suddenly on the subject of the bread 
and wine supper, or sacrament. She seemed to have lost 
sight that there is a spiritual communion which the soul can 
hold with its Saviour, and which needs not the help of out- 
ward shadows ; but it is remarkable when our reasons for the 
disuse of such things are given in simplicity and love, how 
the feelings of others become changed towards us ; they then 
see we do not refuse the administration of them out of obsti- 
nacy, but from a tender conscience. 

On the 8th they drove to Lausanne, and the next 
day to Geneva. John Yeardley has preserved, in his 
diary of this part of the journey, a Httle anecdote of 
French character which naturally struck him the more 
forcibly from his having hitherto been conversant only 



MT. 39.] ANECDOTE OF A FKENCHMAN". 139 

with the phlegmatic temperament of the Germans. The 
coachman, it should be said, was of that nation. 

On the road between Nyon and Geneva a little incident 
occurred which showed us the liveliness of the French tem- 
perament. A man got up behind our carriage, and our 
coachman very naturally whipped him down. The man fol- 
lowed us quietly for a while, but at length his wounded 
dignity overcame his patience, and he came up to our coach- 
man and began to speak furiously on the impropriety of his 
having whipped him. Finding he could make nothing of 
one who understood not what he said, he addressed himself 
to our friend Martha Towell, and said he knew he had done 
wrong ; but the coachman should have told him to get down, 
which was customary in their country, and not to have 
whipped him. M. T. was prepared to appease his wrath by 
a mild reply, which eased the poor ■ man very much ; other- 
wise I think we should have had more trouble with him ; 
but he seemed to be quieted, and said, Teach your coachman 
to say, in French, *' descendez." 

They reached Geneva just in time to prevent the de- 
parture of Louis Majolier : 

Who, says Martha Savory, was indeed rejoiced to see us 
after all his anxiety. But, she continues, great as was our 
mutual satisfaction at meeting, I am inclined to think it would 
have been better if this plan had never been proposed, as it 
was a means of preventing some movements which might 
have tended much to our relief; and his mind was in such an 
anxious state about home that he could not give himself to 
anything that might have opened at Geneva or Lausanne ( to 
which I expected to return), but begged us, very earnestly, 
to return with hini to CoDgenies, as soon as possible.- • 
( Letter to E. Dudley) 

They found the religious world at Geneva in a state 
of convulsion. 



140 GENEVA. [1825. 

The secret poison of infidelity, says J. Y., has a good deal 
sapped the principle of real religion ; and the clergy of the 
Established Church have preached a doctrine tending to 
Socinianism. A few young ministers have boldly come forth 
and separated themselves, and are determined, in the midst 
of persecution, to preach Christ and him crucified. Some 
of these seem to have gone to the opposite extreme, for they 
hold too strongly the principles of predestination. It is a 
remarkable time in this neighborhood, as well as at Lausanne, 
where many are awakened to seek more after the substance 
of religion. 

At Geneva they formed a friendship with several 
persons, among whom were Pastors Moulinier and 
L'Huillier, and Captain Owen, an Englishman. With 
the last-named they were united in close bonds of re- 
ligious affection ; they were enabled to administer to his 
spiritual wants, and he was forward to render them assist- 
ance in every possible way. 

The journey from Geneva to Nismes was tedious, 
occupying more than a week. 

On approaching Nismes, John Yeardley says, the beautiful 
olives and vineyards, together with the wild rocky aspect 
around, form a pleasing sight ; and to see them pruning, dig- 
ging, and dunging about the trees, reminds one of the rela- 
tions of Scripture history. 

At Nismes they went to see the amphitheatre : — 

From the top of which, says J. Y., we had a view of the 
city and the surrounding neighborhood, which is indeed beau- 
tiful. The great number of olives, vines, fig-trees, &c., excite 
a train of ideas pleasing and indescribable. 

In travelling through Switzerland John Yeardley had 
been often brought into a low state of mind, and on 
approaching Congenies, the final object of the journey, 



^T. 39.] CONGENIES — DISCOURAGEMENT. 141 

his heart was stirred to its depths. It is very instructive 
to observe what were his feeUngs in reaching a place to 
which his mind had been so long directed. 

The road, he says, was better, and the outward prospect a 
little enlivening ; but it is not easy to describe the feelings 
my mind was under in approaching a place which has so long 
occupied my thoughtfulness to visit. The prospect is dis- 
couraging, but I must be content and sink down to the spring 
of life, which can alone make known the objects of duty and 
qualify for their fulfilment. In the midst of all my spiritual 
poverty a stream of gratitude flows in my heart to the Father 
of mercies, that he has been pleased to preserve us in many 
dangers, and bring us safe to this part of his heritage ; and if 
it should be his will that I should have nothing to do but to 
suffer for his name's sake, may he grant me patience to 
bear it. 

Martha Savory's feelings on the same occasion were 
also those of deep gratitude for the preservation ex- 
perienced during their journey, united, she says, with an 
humbling sense of many omissions and great unworthi- 
ness, yet of help having been mercifully administered 
in the time of need. — {Letter of 2 mo. 10, 1826.) 

Edward Brady was spending the winter at Congenies 
for the sake of his health, and his society was a source of 
no little comfort to John Yeardley ; who, however, still 
frequently labored under spiritual depression. 

Before dinner, he writes under date of the 23rd of the 
Twelfth Month, we took a walk to M. S.'s windmill, from 
whence we had a fair view of Congenies and the neighbor- 
hood, which is of a wild description. On reflecting on the 
place and circumstances connected with it, my mind was 
filled with various ideas, but none of them of an encouraging 
nature. 



142 ACCIDENT TO M. SAVORY. [1826. 

His discouragement was increased by ignorance of the 
language, and, with his accustomed dihgence, on the 
morrow after his arrival he commenced learning French. 
On the recurrence of his birth-day, w^hich was nearly 
coincident with the beginning of the year, he says : — 

I am once more entered on a new year of my life, I fear 
without the last having been much improved ; and to form 
resolutions of amendment in my own strength can- avail me 
nothing. May He who knows my infirmities assist me to 
overcome them and to become more useful in his cause. My 
discouragement still continues ; I don't feel those refreshing 
seasons which I have often experienced in times past ; the 
pure life is often low in meeting, and I am not so watchful 
and diligent to improve my time and talent as I ought to be. 
I often feel as one already laid by useless, and the language 
of my heart is, "0 that I were as in days past I" 

Soon after their arrival at Congenies, Martha Savory 
met with a serious accident. Thinking a ride would be 
beneficial to her health, when the rest of the party drove 
one afternoon to Sommieres, she accompanied them on 
horseback. She had not a proper saddle, and her horse 
being eager to keep up with the carriage set off down- 
hill at so rapid a rate as to throw her to the ground. 
The cap of one knee w^as displaced by the fall, and, 
although she soon recovered so as to be able to walk, 
the limb continued to be subject to weakness for some 
years. 

As soon as M. S. was sufficiently recovered, she and 
her companions visited the Friends at Congenies and 
the neighboring villages from house to house, and also 
assembled on one occasion the heads of families, and on 
another the young people of the Society. In reviewing 
a part of this service John Yeardley says : — 



MC. 40.] ST. ETIENNE. 143 

8 mo. 6. — ^It lias been a deeply exercising time, but has 
tended much more to the relief of our minds, at least as 
regards myself, than I had anticipated. From the discouraged 
state of mind I passed through for the first few weeks at this 
place, I expected to leave it burdened and distressed, but am 
thankful to acknowledge that holy help has been near to 
afford relief to my poor tossed spirit, and I have cause to 
believe it is in divine wisdom that I am here. 

On the 13th of the Third Month they took leave of 

their friends at Congenies to return to England, being 

accompanied by Edward Brady, and during part of the 

journey by Louis Majolier. By the way they had some 

religious intercourse with Protestant dissenters at a few 

places ; but at St. Etienne, where they had expected to 

remain a fortnight, they found the door nearly closed 

to their entranqp ; a company of pious persons in this 

town were at that time so nearly united with Friends as 

to bear their name. 

• 
These, says John Yeardley, in a letter, are now reduced to 

about twenty in number. They have suffered and still suffer 
much persecution from the Eoman Catholics. They are for- 
bidden by heavy fines to meet together, except in very small 
companies. We met them several times in their small 
meetings to much comfort ; there are a few among them who 
have stood firm through the heat of trial, and these are pre- 
cious individuals. The priests are exceedingly jealous. On 
our arrival in the town we held our little m^eeting with these 
pious people on First-day morning ; the priest came to the 
house of the woman Friend where we had been to demand 
who we were and where we lodged, and said it was we who 
had caused them to err, and he would convince us in their 
presence that we were not only in error ourselves, but had 
led them into error also. But we saw nothing of him, and 
left the place in safety, which we considered a great favor; 
for such has been their rage that they have dared to shoot at 



144 CALAIS. [1826. 

some missionaries who have been in the neighborhood 
[Letter to Tliomas Yeardley, 4 mo. 19.) 



The rest of the journey through France was in 
general dreary, the external accommodation being bad, 
and the consolation of spiritual intercourse very scanty. 
At Arras, however, they were refreshed by the com- 
pany of a Protestant minister, a liberal and worthy 
man, who had " to stand alone in a large district of 
weak-handed Protestants among strong-headed Catho- 
lics." ■ 

Arriving at Calais, Martha Savory and Martha Towell, 

with Edward Brady, crossed over to England, leaving 
John Yeardley to follow at a later period. On the 14th 
of the Fourth Month he writes : — 

My dear companions left for England. I watched them 
from the pier until I could bear to stay no longer, and then 
returned sorrowfully to my quarters, and soon repaired to 
the little retired lodging we had engaged for me in the 
country, where I spent a few days in learning French, &c. 
In taking a retrospect of our long journey I feel a large 
degree of peaceful satisfaction in having been desirous to 
fulfil (though very imperfectly) a religious duty ; and these 
feelings of gratitude excited a wish that the remainder of my 
few days might be more faithfully devoted to the service of 
my great Lord and Master. 

The little lodging of which he speaks was " a retired 
chamber on the garden- wall ;" and having left it for a 
few days to go to Antwerp with the carriage and horses 
which they had used on the journey, on his return it 
had already acquired, in his view, something of the 
character of home. 

The beautiful green branches, says he, modestly looking in 
at the window, give me a silent welcome ; and the little birds 



^T. 40.] BETEOTHAL TO MARTHA SAVORY. 145 

chirruping in the garden, which is my drawing-room and study. 
I cannot but acknowledge how grateful I feel in being per- 
mitted to rest in so quiet a retreat, shut up from many of those 
anxious cares which have perplexed the former part of my 
life. — {Diary, 4 mo. 27.) 

The last few words 'of this memorandum may seem 
at first sight to refer to his temporary seclusion from 
the world in his little hermitage at Calais ; but there is 
little doubt that they have a wider significance, and con- 
tain also an allusion to his anticipated union with Martha 
Savory. The prospect of this union seems to have sprung 
up during the journey, and to have become matured be- 
fore they separated at Calais ; and the effect of it was, 
amongst other things, to set him free from the necessity 
of pursuing business any longer as a means of livelihood, 
and to ensure to him a provision sufficient for his mode- 
rate wants. 

On the 12th of the Fifth Month, John Yeardley left 
Calais for London. At the inn in Calais, a Httle incident 
occurred, the relation of which may be useful to others. 

A serious Frenchman, who was going on board the same 
packet, was struck with my not paying for the music after 
dinner, and was much inclined to know my reason, believing 
my refusal was from a religious motive. At a suitable oppor- 
tunity he asked me, and confessed he had felt a scruple of the 
same kind, and regretted he had not been faithful. This 
slight incident was the means of making me acquainted with 
an honest and religious man, as I afterwards found him to be. 

How important it is to be faithful in very little things, not 
knowing what effect they may have on others! 



CHAPTER VII. 

HIS MARRIAGE WITH MARTHA SAVORY. 

1826-27. 

During his stay in London, John Yeardley attended 
the Yearly Meeting, and the Annual Meetings of the 
School, Anti-slavery, and other Societies, with which he 
was much gratified. Soon after the termination of the 
Yearly Meeting, he went into Yorkshire to see his 
mother. 

6 mo. 13. — ^I left London in the mail for Sheffield, and on 
the 14th slept at my dear brother Thomas's at Ecclesfield, who 
took me on the 15th, to Barnsley. I was truly thankful to be 
favored to see my precious mother once more. On the 19th, 
I attended the Monthly Meeting at Highflatts. It is not easy 
to describe the various thoughts which rushed into my mind 
on seeing so many Friends whom I had known and loved in 
former days. The meeting was a much-favored time, although 
we felt the want of some of the fathers and mothers who are 
removed. 

In the next entry there is an allusion to the disastrous 
commercial panic by which this year was distinguished. 

7 mo. 24. — Have been very low and deserted in mind for a 
long time past. It is a time for the trial of my patience, and 
yet I have many favors for which I ought to be truly thank- 
ful. It is a precious privilege to be relieved from the com- 
mercial difficulties which at present abound in the trading 
world. May it be my lot ever to keep so, if. consistent with 
the divine will. 

8 mo. 21. — Month! V Meeting at Wooldale. The meeting 

(146) 



^T. 40.] NEW RESIDENCE. 147 

was exceedingly crowded with strangers ; there was not room 
in the house to hold all who came. I had been very low all 
the morning, and to see such a number of people at the meet- 
ing sunk me low indeed. I was enabled to turn inward to Him 
from whom help alone comes ; and blessed be his holy Name, 
he did not forsake me in the needful time, but was pleased 
once more to give strength and utterance to communicate 
what came before me. My certificates from Germany and 
Congenies were read and accepted, and many Friends ex- 
pressed much unity and sympathy with me on my return to 
them, which was a comfort and strength to me. 

On the 1st of the Ninth Month, he again went to 
London. During his stay in the city, he took the oppor- 
tunity of visiting the Industrial Schools at Lindfield, 
founded by William Allen; a kind of institution which 
always engaged his warmest 'sympathy and approbation. 

With the new turn which was given to the course of 
his life by his betrothal to Martha Savory, it is not sur- 
prising that he should have considered his residence 
abroad to be brought, in the order of Divine Providence, 
to a natural termination, and that he now turned his at- 
tention to taking up his abode again in his native land. 
In selecting a place of residence, he seems to have had 
no hesitation in making choice of the neighborhood of 
Barnsley; the spot, as the reader may remember, which 
seemed to him, when he was obliged to remove to Ben- 
tham, as that which had the first claim upon his gospel 
services. The state of his mind, whilst preparing his 
intended residence at Burton, the same village where he 
used to attend meeting in his early days, may be seen 
•by the following memorandum: — 

9 mo. 26. At York. — ^It was a large Quarterly Meeting. 
Living ministry flowed freely, and I thought even poor me 



148 DEATH OF HIS MOTHER. [1826. 

was a little refreshed : but I have been for a long time in a 
deplorable state, in a spiritual sense. 

Since the Quarterly Meeting, my time and thoughts have 
been much occupied in fitting up our intended residence at 
the cottage at Burton ; and I may truly say, I have been cum- 
bered about ''many things," which, L think, has kept my mind 
in a poor, barren state. O the many weeks that I have had 
to sit with my mouth in the dust to bemoan my own inward 
misery ! My conflict of mind has been increased by the try- 
ing state of my precious mother's health. My attendance on 
her in this poorly state, and at this season of the year, when I 
lost my poor dearest Bessie, reminded me strongly of my dear 
departed lamb. 

Before his marriage with Martha Savory was accom- 
plished, he was called upon to attend the deathbed of 
his mother, and to follow the remains of his father to 
the grave. 

11 mo, 16. — On the 3rd I left the cottage, and took my 
luggage to go from Barnsley by the coach to London. 
Stepped down to take leave of my dear mother, but found 
her so weak that I could not at all think of leaving her ; 
and was indeed glad that I did not go, for the dear creature 
continued to grow weaker and weaker till a quarter past 
three o'clock on Seventh - day morning, 4th of Eleventh 
Month, when she peacefully breathed her last. She was 
fully sensible to the close, and also fully sensible that her end 
was near. 

Her precious remains were interred at Burton on the 7th, 
after a meeting appointed for the occasion at Barnsley. In 
her room, before we left Eedbrook [where she bad resided], I 
was enabled to petition the throne of mercy for a little hel^ 
and strength through the remainder of the solemn scene, 
which, I think, was in a remarkable manner granted. After 
having paid the last tribute of affection and duty to our 
endeared parent, fourteen of our dear friends and relations 



^T. 40.] AND OF HIS FATHER. • 149 

diiaed witli me at the cottage. It is remarkable that the 
opening of our residence should be in this awful manner; 
bujt we were much comforted in feeling in the midst of all 
our- sorroW; the greatest degree of peace and quietude on the 
solemn occasion. 

On Fourth-day, being the day after we had taken leave of 
our precious mother's remains, I went with my brother and 
sister to see our poor dear father, who had been ill in bed 
about two weeks. We arrived about seven o'clock ; but, to 
our great surprise, ' about an hour before we reached the 
place, our beloved father had fallen asleep, never to wake 
more in this world. This was indeed awful, but the Judge 
of the earth must do right. We attended the interment on 
First-day, the 12th. The meeting-house at Woodhouse w^as 
pretty full, and a good and tendering meeting it was. It felt 
hard work to labor among a number of worldly-minded 
people ; but I have learned to consider it one of the greatest 
of privileges to be appointed to service, even though attended 
with suffering. Since this time my poor mind has felt more 
tender and more susceptible of good. that it may con- 
tinue, and that I may remain humble and watchful for the 
time to come, and live prepared for that awful change which 
I know not how soon may be sent to my dwelling! — 
(11 mo. 16.) 

On the 18th he pursued his journey to London, and 
on the 21st, at Gracechurch-street Monthly Meeting, 
he presented his intention of marriage with Martha 
Savory. " In a private interview at Elizabeth Dudley's," 
he writes, " Richard Barrett and E. Dudley expressed 
their full unity with our intended union, in terms of 
much interest and encouragement." On the 13th of 
the Twelfth Month the marriage took place at Grace- 
church-street Meeting-house. 

The time in silence, says the Diary, was very solemn, and 
acceptable testimonies were borne by William Allen and 



150 MARRIAGE. [1836. 

Elizabeth Dudley. After meeting we adjourned to the 
Library to take leave, where a stream of encouragement 
flowed to us from several of our dear friends, which felt truly 
strengthening. About twenty of our friends and relations 
dined at A. B. Savory's at Stoke Newington. The day was 
spent, I trust, profitablj^, and on parting, about seven o'clock, 
we had a comfortable time, and something was expressed by 
my M. and self, and dear W. Allen. After taking a very 
affectionate leave, we posted on to Barnet. My brother 
Thomas and J. A. Wilson took ns up the next morning ; and 
we four came down in the coach to Sheffield, and [the next 
day] to Ecclesfield to dinner, and arrived at our humble 
cottage the 15th of the Twelfth Month, I trust with thankful 
hearts. 



It is appropriate to give in this place some account 
of Martha Savory's character and Christian experience. 
That our notice is brief and incomplete, is owing to the 
loss of most of her own memoranda, and of the letters 
she addressed to those with whom she was on intimate 
terms. She possessed, it will be seen, an intellectual 
character and disposition, as well as an experience, very 
different from those of her husband. It does not follow, 
however, that this dissimilarity was a hindrance to 
their joint service in the gospel, any more than to their 
social harmony and love. It may be, on the contrary, 
that Martha Savory's quickness of understanding and of 
feeling, the readiness with which she apprehended the 
sentiments and condition of others, her conversancy 
with the allurements of city life, and the perils of unbe- 
lief from which she had been rescued, fitted her in a 
peculiar degree to be her husband's helper in the minis- 
try, especially in their travels on the Continent. 

She was born in London in 1781, and was the 
daughter of Joseph and Anna Savory. To an active 



BIOGKAPHICAL NOTICE OF MAETHA SAVORY. 151 

and vigorous understanding she united a strength of 
will which would brook little control, together with 
much energy and fearlessness; and the propensity to 
follow the vain inclinations of the unregenerate heart 
displayed itself in an indulgence in much that was 
inimical to the restraints of Christian principle. Her 
disposition was generous ; all her emotions were ardent, 
and were seldom subjected to the discipline of a cor- 
rected judgment. There were, however, various occa- 
sions, even in her very early years, when, through the 
visitations of heavenly love, her mind was forcibly 
aroused to a conviction of the need of redeeming grace. 
She was particularly impressed by the preaching and 
influence of William Savery, whose home in London 
was at her father's house. In some memoranda of this 
period, she remarks, "Frequently in the meetings 
appointed by him, I was greatly wrought upon by his 
living ministry ;" and notwithstanding that she subse- 
quently wandered far from the way of peace, there is 
good ground to beheve that the remembrance of those 
truths which had penetrated her heart through the 
instrumentality of this gospel messenger, was never 
altogether efl'aced. 

Being naturally endowed with a lively imagination 
and a taste for literature, she sought to suppress the 
upbraidlngs of conscience in intellectual pursuits, and 
employed much time in the composition of verses that 
were merely a transcript of visionary and romantic 
ideas, afterwards published under the title of " Poetical 
Tales." This volume obtained but a limited circulation ; 
for, soon after it had issued from the press, the convic- 
tion that it had been an unhallowed and unprofitable 
exercise of her understanding was so impressed upon 



152 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE 

her spirit, that, although the sacrifice was considerable, 
she caused all the unsold copies to be destroyed. It is 
interesting to observe how, in later years, this talent for 
metrical rhythm, which had been so misapplied, became 
consecrated, as were all her facidties, to the promotion 
of piety and virtue. 

During the long period in which her mental energies 
were thus misdirected, a cloud of darkness enveloped 
her spirit. She had, when about nineteen years of age, 
imbibed sceptical views in reference to the truths of 
revealed religion; and as she seldom read the Holy 
Scriptures, and was almost a stranger to their sacred. 
contents, her imagination pictured an easier way to 
escape from the power and the consequences of sin 
than in that self-renunciation which the Gospel enjoins. 
In some memoranda of her experience, she says, in 
reference to the snares by which her mind was en- 
tangled : — " I was led to a love of metaphysical studies, 
and fancied I discovered, with clearness, that human 
vice, and consequently human misery, sprang from 
ignorance of the nature of virtue, and that if mankind 
would become instructed they would become good ; and 
that it was only necessary to behold virtue in its native 
beauty, to love it and to practise it. O how fallacious 
was this reasoning ! ' The world by wisdom knows not 
God; the natural man receives not the things of the 
Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, neither 
can he know them, because they are spiritually dis- 
cerned.' " 

At length, however, when, in 1811, Martha Savory 
had completed the thirtieth year of her life, she became 
deeply impressed by the conviction that she was wan- 
dering on the barren mountains of doubt and error; 



OF MARTHA SAVORY. 153 

and through the renewed visitation of divine love, the 
Hght of the Sun of righteousness again shined into her 
heart, and its humbhng influence brake the rock in 
pieces. Some circumstances occurred that were in- 
strumental in promoting this great change. She was 
introduced into frequent communication with some 
honored servants of the Lord, particularly with the 
late Mary Dudley, and her daughter Ehzabeth. An 
attack of indisposition prostrated her bodily strength, 
and afforded opportunity for serious reflection. Whilst 
from this cause confined to her chamber, a young 
person (Susanna Corder), with whom she was only very 
slightly acquainted, but to whom she was ever after- 
w^ards united in an intimate and confidential friendship, 
was attracted to visit her. The interview was a memo- 
rable one; the overshadowing wing of goodness and 
mercy being permitted to gather their spirits under its 
blessed influence. On her recovery from this illness, 
Martha Savory paid a short visit to her new friend, 
which afforded an opportunity for the manifestation of 
continued deep Christian interest ; and, on her quitting 
the house, Susanna Corder put into her hand a copy of 
the " Olney Hymns." When she had proceeded a few 
steps towards home, she opened the book, and without 
noticing even the title, instantly cast her eyes on the 
lines, " The rebel's surrender to grace," commencing — 

"Lord, Tliou hast won ; at length. I yield ; 
My heart, by mighty grace compelled, 

Surrenders all to Thee ; 
Against thy terrors long I strove, 
But who can stand against thy love ? 

Love conquers even me." 

She was deeply affected by the remarkable applica- 
tion of the whole of the hymn to the experience which 
11 



164 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE 

she was then passing through ; she could not refrain 
from weeping, and to avoid the observation of passers- 
by, she walked through secluded streets, giving vent to 
her emotion ; and she afterwards repeatedly expressed 
her behef that there was, in this apparently casual inci- 
dent, a divine interposition and guidance ; " for," said 
she, " every word of that hymn appeared as if purposely 
written to describe my case, so that I could scarcely 
read it from the many tears I shed over it. It is no 
exaggerated picture." 

She now spent much time alone, almost constantly 
reading the Bible ; and so precious was the influence 
that operated on her spirit, whilst thus employed, and 
so wonderfully were the blessed truths of the gospel 
unfolded to her understanding, that, as she expressed 
it, " every page of it seemed, as it were, illuminated." 
Sustained by the joy and peace of believing, she was 
enabled to follow in faith the leadings of the Holy Spirit, 
and, through divine strength, to become as a whole 
burnt sacrifice on the altar of that gracious Redeemer, 
who had, in his rich mercy, plucked her from the pit of 
destruction. Having had much forgiven, she loved much, 
and shrunk not from the many and deep humiliations 
which were involved in such a course of dedication to 
her Lord. Even her external appearance strikingly 
bespoke her altered character. There had always been 
in her countenance an expression of benevolence, but it 
had not indicated a gentle or diffident mind. In her 
demeanor and personal attire, she had conspicuously 
followed the vain fashions of the times ; but now, humil- 
ity, with a modest and retiring manner, marked her 
conduct ; everything merely ornamental was discarded, 
and the softening effect of a sanctifying principle im- 



OF MARTHA SAVORY. 155 

parted to the features of her face a sweetness which, 
impressing the beholder with a consciousness of the 
regenerating power that wrought within, was, to more 
than a few of her acquaintance, both arousing and 
instructive. She changed her residence from Finsbury ' 
to the borough of Southwark, and settled near her 
friend Susanna C order, with whom she united in the 
formation of a philanthropic association, " The South- 
wark Female Society for the rehef of sickness and ex- 
treme want." The late Mary Sterry, and several other 
estimable members of Southwark meeting, together with 
benevolent individuals among the different religious 
denominations of the district, soon joined them, and the 
society became a highly influential channel through 
which assistance has been variously rendered to many 
thousands of the indigent poor ; and it still continues, 
though with a reduced scale of operations, to be an im- 
* portant source of help to the sick and destitute. 

Martha Savory devoted to this work of mercy much 
time and personal exertion; but a more important 
service was also designed for her. She felt constrained 
to give evidence of her love to Christ by a public testi- 
mony to the grace which had been vouchsafed to her 
through Him who is " the way, the truth, and the life." 
Deep were the conflicts of spirit which she endured ere 
she could yield to this solemn requirement, but " sweet 
peace" was, she says, as she records the sacrifice, the 
result of thus acknowledging her gracious Lord. " This 
step," she continues, "appears to me to involve the 
greatest of all possible mental reduction, but I reverently 
beheve it was necessary for me, and more^ perhaps on 
my own accoufit than on account of others ; for, \^ithout 
this bond, and the necessary baptisms attending this 



156 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE 

vocation, I should have been in danger of turning back, 
and perhaps altogether losing the little spiritual life 
-which has been mercifully raised." She adds a fervent 
petition for preservation and guidance, and that, by 
whatever means, however suffering to nature, the vessel 
might be purified, and fitted for the Master's use. She 
first spoke as a minister in the year 1814. The humi- 
liation and brokenness of spirit which marked these 
weighty engagements, were felt by many, especially 
among her youthful friends, to be peculiarly impressive, 
as tokens of the soul-cleansing operations of omnipotent 
love, and as an awakening call to yield to the same re- 
generating influence. 

She was acknowledged as a minister by Southwark 
Monthly Meeting, in the year 1818, when she had 
reached the age of 36; and in 1821, with the cordial 
approval of the meetings of which she was a member, 
she commenced that course of missionary labor in the 
gospel, to which she was subsequently so much devoted. 
Her mission, on this occasion, was to Congenies, where, 
and in the surrounding villages, she remained twelve 
months. 

A letter to one of her sisters, written a few years 
after her marriage, so fully represents her religious 
sentiments, and the doctrine she was concerned to 
preach and maintain, that it may not improperly con- 
clude this outline of her mental and religious character. 

Burton, 13tli of Twelfth Month, 1830. 

I read thy remarks, my endeared sister, on the present 
state of things amongst ns, with much interest, from having 
had corresponding feelings frequently raised in my own mind 
in this day of general excitement on religious subjects. 



OF MARTHA SAVORY. , 157 

It remains to be a solemn truth that nothing can draw to 
God but what proceeds from him ; and whatever may be the 
eloquence or oratory of man, if it be not the gift of God, and 
under his holy anointing, which always has a tendency to 
humble the creature and exalt the Creator, it will in the end 
only scatter and deceive. It has long appeared to me that 
true vital religion is a very simple thing, although from our 
fallen state, requiring continual warfare with evil to keep it 
alive. It surely consists in communion, and at times a 
degree of union, with our Omnipotent Creator, through the 
mediation of our Holy Eedeemer. And seeing these feelings 
cannot be produced by eloquent discourses or beautiful illus- 
trations of Scripture, but by deep humiliation and frequent 
baptisms of spirit, whereby the heart is purified and fitted to 
receive a greater degree of divine influence; seeing it is 
produced by daily prayer, by giving, up our own will, and 
seeking above all things to do the will of our Heavenly 
Father, surely there is cause to hope that those who are 
convinced of this, and who have tasted of spiritual com- 
munion through this appointed means, will never be satisfied 
with anything however enticing which, if not under the 
influence of the Holy Spirit, may well be compared to 
"sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal." 

I am far from confining this influence to the ministers of 
our little Society, but assuredly believe that those who are 
brought under the immediate teachings of the Spirit, under 
every profession, will be more and more convinced that they 
cannot preach to profit the people, in their own will and at 
their own command ; and that as true and spiritual religion 
prevails they must in this respect come to us, and not we go to 
them. Yet still it is certainly a day of much excitement, and 
of danger especially to the young and unawakened, and there 
never was a time when the members of our Society were 
more loudly called upon to watch unto prayer both on their 
own account and on account of others, humbly to implore, not 
only that the Holy Spirit may not be taken from us, but that 
a greater eflfiision of it may be poured upon us as a body, that 
so we may all be made and kept alive in Him in whom is 



158 ^ BURTON COTTAGE. [1827. 

life, and the life is the light of men. I believe this would 
be much more our experience, if the things of this world were 
kept in subjection by fervent daily prayer and the obedience 
of faith, which remain to be the means pointed out by our 
gracious Kedeemer, of communion with the Father through 
Him. "What can be more pure than the profession we make, 
to be guided by the Holy Spirit ? and if we really are so, we 
shall be concerned to maintain this daily exercise of heart 
before the Lord, and yet become what I reverently believe is 
his gracious will respecting us, and all under every name who 
are thus guided and have become living members of the 
Church of Christ, even that we should be as lights in the 
world, or a city set upon a hill which cannot be hid; 



The dwelling which John and Martha Yeardley 
occupied was on the highest ground in the village, 
commanding a wide and cheerful prospect, and over- 
looking, on the western side, the valley of the Dearn 
and the ccftispicuous town of Barnsley, Avhich, notwith- 
standing the smoke that envelopes it, stands out in fine 
relief on the opposite hill. Their cottage adjoined the 
Friends' burial-ground ; and just on the other side of 
the wall reposed the remains of Frances Yeardley, on 
the site formerly occupied by the meeting-house.* 

* TMs is one of tlie earliest burial-grounds wliicli belonged to Friends. 
Over the gateway was a curious inscription on brass, now removed to 
Barnsley. It is as follows : 

"Anno Domini 1657. Though, superstitious minds doe judge amisse 
of this buriall place, yet lett them know hereby that the Scripture saith, 
The earth, it is the Lord's. And I say soe is this, therefore seeing we, 
and by his people also sett apart for the churches use, or a buriall place, 
it is holy, or convenient and good for that use and service, as every 
other earth is. And it is not without Scripture warrant or example 
of the holy men of God to burie in such a place ; for Joshua, a servant 
of the Lord and commander in chiefe or leader and ruler of the people 



MT. 41.] BELiaiOUS VISITS IN YOEKSHIEE. 159 

The house; says Martha Yeardley in a letter to her sister 
E. S., is warm and comfortable, though at best what Londoners 
would esteem a poor place. We feel quite satisfied with it ; 
and when we get our garden in order, and a cow and a few 
chickens, it will be equal to anything that I desire in this 
world. To-day the snow has disappeared, and John is very 
busy with his garden. — (1 mo. 7, 1827.) 

John and Martha Yeardley did not remain long idle 
in their new position. In the First Month, 1827, they 
received a " minute " for visiting the meetings in their 
Monthly Meeting ; and in the Second Month they com- 
menced a tour amongst the meetings in some other 
parts of Yorkshire. These duties occupied them until 
the 19 th of the Fourth Month. We may extract from 
the Diary recording the former of these engagements, a 
brief note of their visit to Ackworth School. 

1 mo. 20. — Lodged at J. Harrison's. On First and Second- 
day evenings had some time of religious service with the 
young people at the school, and felt much united in spirit to 
this interesting family. On Fourth-day, Robert Whitaker 
accompanied us to Pontefract, and we were comforted in his 
company, for we felt poor and weak — much like children 
needing fatherly care. 

of God, wlien lie died was neither buried in a steeple-lioiise, now called 
a parish, church, nor in a steeple-house-yeard, but he was buried in the 
border of his inheritance, and on the north side of Mount Gaash, as you 
may read; see Joshua, the 24th chapter, and the 29th and 30th verses. 
And Eleazer, Aaron's son, who was called of the Lord, when he died, 
(they buried him not in a parish church, nor a steeple-house yeard, 
but^ they buried him in the hill of Phinehas, his son, which was 
given him in Mount Ephraim, as you may read, Joshua, the 24th, the 
33rd V. And these were noe superstitious persons, but beloved of the 
Lord, and were well buried. And soe were they in Abraham's bought 
field, Genesis, the 23rd chapter, the 17, 18, 19, and 20 verses : though 
superstitious minds now are unwilling unto the truth to bow, who are 
offended at such as burie in their inheritance or bought field, appointed 
for that use." 



160 DIARY. [1827. 

Among John Yeardley's notes made during the more 
general visit, we meet with a memorandum which may 
be taken to mark a stage or era in his Christian experi- 
ence. The daily record of rehgious exercise and feeling 
which is so useful to many in the hidden season of ten- 
der growth and preparation for future service, is less 
likely to be maintained — and, it may be, less necessary 
— in the meridian of life, when the time and strength 
are taken up with active labor. 

3 mo, — I could write much as to the state of my mind, but 
have of late thought it safer not to record all the inward dis- 
pensations which I have to pass through. I feel strong desires 
to be, wholly given up to serve my great Lord and Master, and 
that I may above all things become qualified for his service ; 
but the baptisms through which I have to pass are many, and 
exceedingly trying to the natural part. Nothing will do but 
to rely wholly on the Divine Arm of Power for support in 
pure naked faith. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

THE SECOND CONTINENTAL JOURNEY. 

1827-28. 

PART I. — GERMANY. ' 

Aeter John and Martha Yeardley had visited their 
friends at home, their minds were directed to the work 
which they had left uncompleted on the continent of 
Europe; and, on their return from the Yearly Meeting, 
they opened this prospect of service before the assembled 
church to which they belonged. 

{Diary) 6 mo. 18. — Were at the Monthly Meeting at High- 
flatts, where we laid our concern before our friends to revisit 
some" parts of Grermany and Switzerland, and to visit some of 
the descendants of the Waldenses in the Protestant valleys 
of Piedmont ; and, on our way home, onr friends and some 
other serious persons in the Islands of Guernsey and Jersey. 
Our dear friends were favored to enter most fully and feel- 
ingly into our views, and under a precious solemnity, a general 
sentiment of unity and concurrence spread through the meet- 
ing, which constrained them (as the certificate expresses it) 
to leave us at liberty, accompanied with warm desires for our 
preservation. Hearing the certificate read brought the con- 
cern, if possible, more weightily than ever upon me, and a 
secret prayer was raised in my heart that we might be enabled 
to go through the prospect before us to the honor of Him who 
has called us into his work. 

They attended the Quarterly Meeting in the latter 

(161) 



162 DEPARTURE. [1827. 

part of this months and returned by way of Ackworth, 
where, says John Yeardley, 

We had a comfortable parting with dear Kobert and Han- 
nah Wliitaker, in their own room. K. W. has passed with us 
through the deeps, and has indeed been a true spiritual helper 
to us under our weighty exercises of mind. 

On the 8th of the Seventh Month they set out, and 
on the 17th attended the Meeting of Ministers and 
Elders in London. , 

The Morning Meeting was a precious and refreshing time 
to our poor tried minds. There was a very full expression of 
near sympathy and entire unity with us in our intended re- 
ligious service. It is a strength and encouragement not only 
to have the concurrence of our friends, but also to know that 
we have a place in their prayers for our preservation and sup- 
port in every trying dispensation. 

On the eve of their departure from London, a cir- 
cumstance occurred of a very disagreeable character. 
The shop of their brother, A. B. Savory, in CornhiU, was 
broken open; many valuable articles were taken, and 
their travelling trunks, which had been left there, were 
ransacked. Although their loss was trifling, the annoy- 
ance of such a contretemps may easily be conceived. 
J. Y. says: — 

It is far from pleasant thus to be plundered of any part of 
our property ; but I consider it as much the duty of a Chris- 
tian to bear with becoming fortitude the cross-occurrences of 
common life as to be exercised in religious service. 

They left London on the 22nd, for Rotterdam. On 
their arrival, a disastrous occurrence happened which 
gave a shock to their feelings. The manner in which 
J. Y. mentions the event evinces his tenderness of mind 



^T. 41.] PYRMONT AND MINDED. 163 

in • commencing a long journey, in which his vocation 
was to be to sympathise with the poor and afflicted. 

Since we landed safely on shore a circumstance has 
occurred which has brought a gloom over us. One of our 
shipmen being busy about the sails, part of a beam fell from 
the top-mast and struck him on the head. He never spoke 
more, but died instantly. He has left a widow and two 
children, not only to weep for him, but also to feel bitterly 
his loss in a pecuniary way. We intend to recommend their 
situation to some of our benevolent friends in London. My 
heart is much affected in having to commence my journal on 
a foreign shore by recording such an afflicting event. And, 
as it regards ourselves, how much we have which calls for 
thankfulness that we have so mercifully escaped. 

From Rotterdam they directed their course to 
Pyrmont, passing through Gouda, Utrecht, Arnheim, 
and Miinster ; at the last place they were laid by from 
the heat and weariness. They reached Friedenthal on 
the 4th of the Eighth Month, and John Yeardley makes 
the following reflections on re-entering his German 
home : — 

As I find myself again in this country, many thoughts of 
former days spring up in my mind. Since I was last here 1 
have passed through much ; nevertheless the Lord has guided 
my steps, and I have cause to give Him thanks. 

They visited Minden and the little meetings around, 
bestowing much labor on them; but at Pyrmont, to 
suffer, rather than to do, was their allotted portion. 

It sometimes seems to me, writes J. Y., that we have in this 
place little to do and much to suffer. I am often cast down, 
and have to sit in silence and darkness. This state of mind 
is an exercise of faith and patience, through which much 
may be gained if it is turned to right account. 



164 JOURNEY TO THE NORTH SEA. [1827. 

Of the Two Months' Meeting, he says : 

On the whole a favorable time. Bat I am not without 
my fears that the little Society in this place will lose ground, 
in a religious sense, if more faithfulness is not manifested in 
little things. 

Soon after their arrival in Germany they turned 
their steps towards the north-west corner of that 
country, and the borders of Holland. The object of 
this journey was to visit some places on the shores of 
the North Sea, near Friesland, where the inundations of 
1825 had caused great desolation, and where a new 
colony had been formed by the government from among 
the ruined families. This little journey was so empha- 
tically, an act of faith, and the course of it lay so much 
through a part of Europe seldom visited by travellers, 
that we shall transcribe the diary of it without much 
curtailment. 

9 mo. 4. — Having for sometime felt an impression to visit 
Friedrichgroden and other places on the shore of the North 
Sea, near the confines of East Friesland, we set out from 
Pyrmont in company with our dear friend Louis Seebohm, 
travelling with extra-post in our own carriage. We found 
this a pretty expeditious way of travelling for this country, 
being able to make about fifty-five English miles a day. Be- 
tween Oldendorf and Blickeburg, we experienced a remark- 
able preservation from danger. Our postillion being a little 
sleepy, had not sufficient care of the reins, and the horses 
suddenly turned off towards an inn, but missing the turn, 
instantly fell into a deep ditch, one horse quite down, and the 
other nearly so ; the carriage wanted only a few inches fur- 
ther to go, and then it would have come upon the horses, so 
that a few plunges must have upset the whole concern. We 
sprang instantly out, and set the quiet animals free. The 
man was so frightened he could scarcely step from the box. 
The whole affair did not last more than a few minutes, when 
we were on our way again, with great cause for thankfulness 



^T. 41.] VAEEL AND JEVER. 165 

to the Preserver of our lives. The driver was so honest in 
acknowledging his fault, that I gave him his trinhgeld, and 
our friend L. S. gave him some advice. We got well on 
through Minden to Diepnau and lodged there. 

Next morning set out about seven o'clock, and that day 
travelled late to reach Oldenburg, which we accomplished at 
about one in the morning. Next morning we were in a 
dilemma which way to take to find our place of destination. 
The landlord was kind in sending out several times to gain 
information, but in vain : at length there came into the room 
a deaf and dumb man who frequented the house, and who, 
when he knew our inquiry, immediately wrote down the 
particulars of the place, and explained it by signs on the 
table. We left two books for this intelligent man for his 
kindness, and set forward. Dined at Yarel, and had two 
poor tired horses and an awkward driver to J ever. We gave 
him several severe lectures without much effect ; at length 
we came to a small inn on the road, where he made a stand, 
and said he could go no further without two more horses, 
which we really believed was true, for if he had not got them 
we must have stuck in the sand. The horses being procured 
we got to Jever about eleven o'clock. 

Here was a good inn, and we rested pretty well ; but in 
the morning discouragement took hold of my spirits in a way 
ihat I have seldom experienced. I was ready to conclude 
we were altogether wrong and out of the way of our duty; 
but forward we must now go to see the end of this exercising 
journey. The country about Yarel and Jever is remarkably 
fertile in pasture. The cows handsome, rolling in abundance 
of grass, and pretty much the whole country had the appear- 
ance of ease and plenty ; in Yarel we saw the poor-house, a 
building capable of containing 400 persons, and only four 
individuals were there. The inhabitants live in simplicity, 
but also in the general in ignorance and indifference as to reli- 
gion. I was exceedingly low in mind on the way, but felt 
once more that we were in our right place, and my precious 
M. Y. encouraged me by saying we should not go there in 
vain. On opening the Bible, I was comforted in turning to 
Psalm Ixxviii. 12-14. 



166 VISIT TO THE COLONISTS. [1827. 

After "having thus travelled some days, as it were in tlie 
dark, we arrived at Friedrichen Siel, near Carolinen Siel, in 
which neighborhood, on the border of the North Sea, lie 
Friedrichgroden, Kew Augustengroden, and New Friedrich- 
groden. It is a tract of land gained from the sea of about 
ten or twelve hundred acres, banked round in three divisions, 
and made arable, on which are built about twenty farm- 
houses, which form almost a new world. This land is the 
property of the government ; a small sum is paid on entering, 
and a yearly ground-rent, and then it is the property of the 
purchaser for ever. 

As soon as we stepped on the banks of one of these grodens, 
and I set my eye on one of these retired abodes, I felt no 
longer at a loss where we should go or what we should do. 
It opened suddenly on my mind as clear as the sun at noon- 
day, that we must remain here a day or two and visit these 
new settlers in their dwellings. Accordingly we drove to the 
inn at Carolinen Siel. On asking for a map of the sur- 
rounding country, one was put into our hands containing a 
plan of the places which had suffered so severely by the 
floods in the spring of 1825 ; which rendered those people 
much more interesting to us. 

After dinner we commenced our visit, and called on a 
young man and his sister who live on, one of the farms, and 
have about seventy acres of land. They received us with a 
hearty welcome, and entered into friendly conversation. The 
house was one of the first on New Augustengroden, built in 
1816, [swept] down by the water in 1825, and rebuilt the 
same year. He was an intelligent young man, and answered 
many inquiries which we made. 

Finding the distance might be too great to walk, next 
morning we procured horses, and started about seven o'clock, 
taking from our small stock of books one for each family. 
We commenced intercourse with them by first interesting 
ourselves about their families and domestic concerns, not 
unmindful of every suitable opportunity to turn the conver- 
sation on the subject of religion, which is too much neglected 
by most of them. They are of the Lutheran profession ; but 
the church being at some distance; they do not regularly 



^T. 41.] THE INUNDATION OF 1825. 167 

attend. Most of them have as many as six children, and 
some eight, with fine countenances. We felt deeply inte- 
rested, particularly for the mothers, some of whom are 
tender-spirited, amiable women, and wept much in the oppor- 
tunities we had with them. Their late afflictions have made 
on some a deep impression, and it was a time when, I trust, 
such a visit might be of advantage. In the floods, several 
had their houses swept away ; and one lost thirty-six head 
of cattle, and had to drag his children out of the water naked, 
and take refuge on the tops of the houses. But the most 
touching case was that of a man who lost his wife and five 
children, his father, mother, and servants. They were sent 
away in a waggon, as a means of escape ; but the waggon 
was swept away by the torrent, and all perished. The hus- 
band, who was left alone in the house, got to land on some 
boards, part of the wreck of the house, and expected to find 
his family safe ; what must have been his feelings when he 
found they had all perished in the deep ! We felt truly 
prepared to sympathise with them, and think they were 
sensible of our visit being in the sincere love of the Gospel. 
Their kindness towards us exceeded description. In going 
from house to house, one of them seeing us in the field, and 
not knowing our errand, thought we had missed our way, 
and came running almost out of breath to set us in the road. 
When he found that our visit was intended to him, he seemed 
overjoyed, and conducted us to his home and his interesting 
wife. His name is Friedrich Fockensllammen. He soon 
showed us all that was in his house and barns ; and I may 
say he was equally ready to tell us all that was in his heart. 
We could not get away without taking coffee with them. 

Having felt much towards seeing them together, the way 
seemed open to propose to this man to have a meeting. He 
readily undertook to consult with a few others; and he came 
to our inn next morning with another, when he said, the good 
work must have a small beginning, and although he himself 
was quite willing, the others did not see the necessity of it, 
or were too cautious. This person told us that, with respect 
to temporals, they could never have got forward again in the 



168 RELIGIOUS STATE OF THE COLONISTS. [1827. 

way they had done, had it not been for the kind and effectual 
assistance received from England. After an interesting con- 
versation with these two, we parted in much afiection. My 
M. Y. drew up a short epistle, which was signed by us all, 
and forwarded to them: this was an entire relief to our 
minds. 

Understanding the fair was to commence on First-day 
morning, we found it necessary on Seventh-day evening to 
seek fresh quarters. The First-day is worse kept in the terri- 
tories belonging to Hanover than in any part of the Con- 
tinent that I have seen, and the greatest religious ignorance 
prevails there. The cause may rest with the Government in 
giving too much power to the Church : the ecclesiastics are 
fond of keeping in their ow^n hands all things relating to 
religion, and will not suffer the light to shine that the people 
may see for themselves. The Edict of Stade has lately been 
renewed, prohibiting religious meetings; no unauthorised 
persons (as they call it), are permitted to preach or hold 
meetings, on pain of imprisonment ; all foreign missionaries 
to be immediately sent beyond the boundaries. The settle- 
ment we were visiting was partly in Hanover, and partly in 
Oldenburg. 

Besides these colonies on the reclaimed strand of the 
ocean, John Yeardley had another object in undertaking 
this journey, which was to inspect the Industrial Colony 
at Fredericks-Oort, in the province of Drenthe, in Hol- 
land. Towards this place the party now directed their 
way. 

Between Wittmund and Aurich ( continues J. Y.) is a moor 
called Plagenburg, about six English miles square, on which 
are some of the poorest mud-huts I ever saw. People who 
intend to settle here from any part receive a grant of land 
for ten years free, and afterwards pay a yearly ground-rent 
of about five shillings an acre. The idle and burdensome 
poor are also sent here ; and by this means the whole neigh- 
borhood is relieved from poor-rates, except for the support 



J&T. 41.] JOURNEY TO FREDERICKS- OORT. 169 

of a few individuals who spin, &c., in the poor-house. We 
were informed that near Norden there is a colony for thieves 
and gipsies, who are sent to this place and compelled to build 
themselves huts and cultivate the land. They are strictly 
watched by the police, and severely punished when they at- 
tempt to go away without leave. 

We had a long and tedious ride, through deep sand, to 
Leer. On our arrival we made inquiry about Fredericks- 
Oort, but could obtain no intelligence, nor could we find it 
on the maps which we borrowed for examination. This was 
very discouraging ; for I had hoped, if it was right for us to 
go, we should find some one to give us certain directions to 
it. I slept but little, and next morning set again to work, 
and found there was a Jew in the town who travelled much 
in Holland. I desired he might be sent for ; he came, and 
immediately gave us directions where to find the places we 
wanted. 

I ought not to omit remarking the comfortable feeling 
that I was favored with, riding from Wittmund to Aurich 
[on the way to Leer]. In reflecting in stillness where we 
had been and what we had done, I felt not only peace and 
inward satisfaction, but thankfulness filled my heart that we 
had been thus far enabled to do what we believed to be in 
the way of our duty. This Scripture language passed through 
my "mind : " Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters, that 
send forth thither the feet of the ox and the ass." (Isa. 
xxxii. 20.) 

11th. — Left Leer about eleven o'clock in the morning, and 
expected to arrive at Assen at eleven or twelve at night, but 
to our great disappointment we travelled the night through, 
and only 'Reached Assen at seven next morning. At Wehn- 
dam on our way we rested the horses. Our friend L. S. went 
for an hour to bed, and my M. Y. and self sat in the carriage 
and would have slept, but there came so many admirers of 
our vehicle that we could not sleep for their almost continual 
remarks about its elegance, convenience, &c. 

This part of Holland is fruitful ; the houses are clean and 
neat ; and the dress of the women very singular. Their caps 
12 



170 FREDERICKS-OORT. [1827. 

Lave a plate of silver or gold on each side almost like a helmet, 
and sometimes very costly. At the inn at Nieuweschans [on 
the borders of Germany and Holland], the cook had one of 
these golden helmets which had cost about 150 florins. 

In these flat countries they have no spring water ; the land 
lies so much below the sea that all is impregnated with salt. 
Rain water is used for drinking, and the method of pre- 
serving it is in a deep reservoir lined with boards and puddled 
with clay^ I was surprised to find it kept good so long : it 
is seldom known to go bad. One of the farmers on the 
Grodens drew water out of his well and handed me a glass to 
drink ; it had a yellowish tinge, but except this I never saw 
clearer and have seldom tasted pleasanter spring water, and 
the best tea I ever drank was made from rain water so pre- 
served. One thing which contributes to its quality is the 
great surface of tile which it has to run down, and which 
tends to filter it. 

The mode of manuring the land is similar to that practised 
in Brabant, and the produce proves that it is excellent ; for 
no better meadows, or corn land in a higher state of cultiva- 
tion are to be seen than in some parts we have lately passed 
through. 

The cows, when fresh in milk, are milked three times a 
day, by which means more milk is obtained than in the com- 
mon method ; any one wishing to make a fair experiment of 
this must try it not for two or three days only, but for a week 
or ten days. 

John and Martha Yeardley found the institution at 
Fredericks-Oort of a deeply interesting kind. It was 
established by private benevolence to improve the con- 
dition of the poor, and to relieve the country from 
beggars, and was commenced in 1 81 8. The poor 
families which are placed there are employed, some in 
manufacture, some in cultivating the soil, and every 
means is made use of to encourage industry and provi- 
dent habits. When our friends visited the colony, it 



^T. 41.] RETURN TO PYRMONT. 171 

comprised 2900 souls, including the staff by which the 
institution is worked, and which is necessarily numerous. 
They thought the method of instruction in use in the 
schools excellent, and found that rehgious liberty was 
strictly respected. 

From Fredericks-Oort they went on to Ommershaus, 
where is the poor-house and penal colony belonging to 
the former institution. Thirteen hundred beggars, or- 
phans, and criminals were then in the colony. 

How much, remarks J. Y., such an institution is wanted in 
England ; every inducement is held out for improvement in 
civil society, and a most effectual check placed against vice 
and idleness. 

The travellers fared badly in Holland, and they were 
rejoiced to " set foot again in honest Germany, where 
they know how to use strangers with an honest heart." 
They returned through Bentheim and Osnabriick, and 
arrived at Pyrmont on the 19th. Here they spent ten 
days in resting, and in preparing to pursue their journey 
through South Germany. 

On First-day, the 30th, they took leave of their 
friends. 

First-day, says John Yeardley, was a solemn time, both at 
meeting and at the reading in the afternoon ; I hope both my 
M. Y. and I were enabled to clear our minds. In the evening 
we took an affectionate and affecting leave of them all; it was 
to me particularly trying. I could not refrain from weeping 
much. 

Not much occurs in the diary to claim attention, until 
they reached Friedberg, not far from Frankfort. 

10 mo. 7. — Sat down to our little meeting, after break- 
fast, and reading, on First day morning. It was to us both 



172 FKANKFORT. [1827. 

a season of deep feeling. My dear M. Y. was so filled with 
a sense of our own weakness, and the Almighty's goodness 
towards ns in a wilderness travel through a dark country, 
that she knelt, and was enabled to pour forth a heart-felt 
supplication for a precious seed of the kingdom in the hearts 
of the people among whom we were ; and also that He would 
in his tender mercy remember us his poor instruments, and in 
the right time cause light to break forth on our path, preserve 
us in the way we ought to go, and make us willing to suffer 
for the sake of his suffering cause : to which my heart said, 
Amen! 

At Frankfort they formed acquaintance with J. H. 
von Meyer, ex-burgomaster of the city, a learned and 
pious man, who had made a new translation of the Bible 
into German, and had stood firm for the cause of real 
Christianity in the midst of much declension. In the 
afternoon they drove to Offenbach to see J. D. Marc, a 
Christian Jew, who had earned experience in the school 
of suffering. He said, amongst other things, that he 
could never preach but when he behoved it to be his 
duty, and then he could declare only what was given 
him at the time; this he considered to be the only 
preaching that could profit the hearers. His views on 
the inutility of water baptism were so decided, that 
when converted Jews asked him to administer to them 
this rite, he told them he could not recommend it, for it 
would do them no good. He gave them many names 
of awakened persons in the Palatinate : — 

Where, says John Yeardley, there is still a lively -spirited 
people who hold meetings for religious improvement ; perhaps 
the descendants of those who were visited by W. Penn in 
former days. 

The next day they returned to Frankfort, and made 



iET. 41.] DAKMSTADT — HEPPENHEIM. 173 

the acquaintance of Pastor Appia, a Piedmontese, who, 
with his wife, was very friendly ; and when he heard 
that they had left their own land to visit his native 
country, marked out a route for them, and gave them 
letters of introduction. " When I am with such good 
people," observes J. Y., in relating their interview with 
Appia, " 1 am always uneasy in my mind that I am 
not more worthy. May the Lord strengthen me !" 

On the 10th, they went to Darmstadt, where they 
met with several enlightened Christians. One of these, 
Leander van Ess, had been a Roman Catholic priest ; 
and although a zealous promoter of Christianity in the 
face of persecution, and favored with a more than ordi- 
nary degree of spiritual light, he had thought it right 
not altogether to forsake that communion, but remained 
amongst the Romanists to do them good. He had 
translated the New Testament for their use. At part- 
ing with his new friends he embraced them, gave them 
his blessing, and wished them a prosperous journey. 
" I felt myself," says J. Y., " comforted and strengthened 
by this visit." 

On the way to Heppenheira, he continues, ( to which place 
they next directed their course), I felt quiet in mind, and 
was once more assured that we were in the way of our duty. 
As I thought of the difficulties which might await us, these 
words were brought to my remembrance, " Touch not mine 
anointed, and do my prophets no harm." 

Crossing the Rhine, at Mannheim, they stopped, on 
the 12th, at Diirkheim, where they became acquainted 
with Ludwig Fitz, a man of a frank and inquiring 
disposition. 

For three years, writes J. Y., he has held meetings in his 
house ; in the commencement he had to suffer no little per- 



174 DURKHEIM — L. FITZ. [1827. 

secution. On his entering our room he observed that it was 
the Lord who had thus brought us together. I have scarcely 
been half an hour with you, he said, after a while, but it 
seems as if I had known you for seven years. He, with his 
wife and daughter, took us to call on a Mennonist, a pious 
man, who holds firmly by Baptism and the Supper. He soon 
began to speak on these points. I replied to what he said as 
Avell as I could, maintaining that in Scripture there are two 
baptisms spoken of; that, as the soul of man is spiritual, it 
can be reached only by that which is spiritual, and that 
therefore I did not see the necessity of maintaining that 
which is outward. He said he desired to possess the former, 
and not to neglect the latter. As to the Supper they both 
advanced in proof of the observance being good, that often, 
whilst using it, they experienced inward joy and refreshment. 
I said we must not limit to a certain time or place this joy 
in the Lord, as if the use of the Supper only were the cause 
of it. The gracious Lord is ready at all times to sup with 
us, and to refresh the sincere and cleansed soul, and make 
it joyful in him. We took leave of each other in love; I 
said we did not travel for the purpose of turning people from 
one form to another, but with the desire only that they might 
all be brought nearer to the Lord. It was pleasant to me 
that Fitz's wife was with us ; during the conversation she re- 
mained still and weighty in spirit. 

We inclined to attend the evening devotion at Fitz's, but 
prefaced onr request with the hope that they w^ould not be 
offended if we did not take part in their observances. This 
was immediately granted ; and Fitz said, I feel that your 
spirit is true and sincere, and I have unity with it. When 
their service was ended, we asked them to remain a while in 
silence, and I trust I may say we were enabled to utter what 
was required of us in testimony and supplication. 

In DUrkheim there are eleven converted Jews, who dare 
not meet except in secret for fear of the rabbins. One night 
the rabbins attempted to take away their bibles and other 
books, but they received a hint of their intention, and sent 
the books to Fitz's house. One of them, a servant girl, as 



^T. 41.] LUDWIGSBURG. 175 

soon as she heard that some Christian friends were come into 
the town, went to Fitz's, and took up one of the books we had 
given him. She read a little in it hastily, put it in her bosom, 
and ran home. Her curiosity and love of the truth impelled 
her to come to our hotel, and wait unobserved in the hall to 
catch a glimpse of us as we came out. We felt much for 
these awakened ones of Abraham's offspring ; their oppressed 
condition rested much upon our hearts; but as we had no 
opportunity of conversing with them, I wrote a few lines from 
Friedelsheim to the young woman, and sent them with some 
books by Fitz, who accompanied us to that place. Tuke!s 
Principles finds much entrance among the awakened Jews. 

Travelling through Spires, Carlsruhe, and Pforzheim, 
they came on the 16th to Stuttgardt, where they found 
Henry Kienlin, of Pforzheim, who, as the reader will 
remember, had won so large a place in their love and 
esteem on their former journey. 

He not only, says John Yeardley, professes our principles, 
but bears a clear and fearless testimony for them. His wife 
is of the same mind with him, although she does not yet show 
it in the simplicity of her dress. 

On the 18th, we set out in company with our good friend 
to Ludwigsburg to see the prison. There are about 600 
prisoners, of both sexes, for the most part employed in labor. 
Order and cleanliness prevail, and the food is good. The 
governor, Kleth, is a worthy, pious man ; he himself reads 
the Holy Scriptures to the prisoners, and endeavors to 
promote their spiritual improvement. When we entered a 
room in which were a number of men, they rose, and stood 
serious and quiet as though they expected we should address 
them ; and for a short time the love of God was felt amongst 
us in an impressive manner ; but nothing was given us to 
utter. 

It will be recollected that when John and Martha 
Yeardley were at Stuttgardt in 1826, they met \vith the 



176 KORNTHAL. [1827. 

Pastor HofFman, and that they desired to visit the insti- 
tution at Kornthal, of which he was the director, but 
were obhged to forego this visit in order to hasten for- 
ward to Basle. They now prepared to discharge this debt 
of Christian love. Kornthal is situated four miles from 
Stuttgardt ; it was founded in 1819 by dissenters from 
the Moravians and Lutherans, and consisted in 1825 of 
about seventy families. J. and M. Y. went there ou 
the 19th. 

We were received, says the former, in a brotherly manner 
by the Director Hoffman. On entering the room we were 
informed that their pastor had died the night before; but 
instead of sorrow there seemed to be joy. This society holds 
it for a religious duty to rejoice when any of their members 
are favored to enter a state of endless bliss. This is religious 
fortitude which but few possess, but I believe it is with them 
sincere, for in going over the institution with the Director, 
I observed they spoke of it as a matter of holy triumph. 

No meeting was held with the members of the 
establishment during this visit ; it was left for J. and 
M. Y. to attend the usual evening assembly on First-day, 
the 21st ; and they were informed that it would be an 
occasion on which any present who were moved by 
divine influence might freely reheve their minds. 

At three o'clock, J. Y. writes, we set off to Kornthal under 
most trying feelings ; I do not know when I have suffered so 
much from discouragement. On account of the death of the 
pastor, many were come to attend the interment which was 
to take place the next day. This caused the meeting to be 
large; not less than 700 persons were present, and among 
them six or seven pastors. The service commenced with a 
few verses ; the first words were these : — 

" Holy Spirit come unto ns, 

And make our hearts thy dwelling-place.'* 



^T. 41.] KORNTHAL. 177 

I can truly say I was awfully impressed witTi their meaning, 
and a secret prayer rose in my heart that it might be expe- 
rienced amongst us. After the singing, a silence truly solemn 
ensued, and I intimated that I felt an impression to say a few 
words. When I sat down our kind friend the Director 
summed up the substance of what I had said, and repeated it 
in an impressive and becoming manner. He did this with the 
idea that some present who only understood Low German 
might not have clearly got the sense ; however, we were told 
afterwards that they had understood every word that I had 
said. Hoffman generously acknowledged to the hearers that 
what had been delivered was strictly conformable with Scrip- 
ture doctrine, and that he united most fully with it. 

Next morning the children being assembled for religious 
instruction, at the conclusion I requested they might remain 
awhile, and I had a few words to say to them, which was a 
relief to my mind. Hofiman asked if they had understood ; 
they almost all answered, Ja, ja, ja. 

This visit has afforded an opportunity of our becoming 
acquainted with many serious characters out of the neigh- 
borhood who were come to the interment ; many of them 
felt near to me in spirit. Hoffman's wife is a precious, still 
character ; there is much sweetness in her countenance. All 
received us heartily in Christian love ; it felt to me as if it 
were the night before one of our Monthly Meetings, and I was 
at a Friend's house, so much freedom was to be felt. The 
inn is kept by Hoffman ; they would make us no charge, 
saying love must pay all. We were most easy to make a 
present to the box for the institution, but they would have 
refused it, saying feelingly. Travellers like you have many 
expenses. 

The cause for J. Y.'s peculiar discouragement in the 
prospect of this meeting was the want of an interpreter. 
Any one who knows the difficulty of public speaking or 
continuous discourse in a foreign language, will compre- 
hend the anxiety which he felt when he saw no alter- 



178 WURTEMBERG [1827. 

native but that of committing himself to preach in 
German. Though very famihar with the language, he 
never completely overcame the want of early and of 
thoroughly grammatical instruction in that difficult and 
intricate tongue. It was with feelings of this kind that 
he penned the following memorandum before going to 
Kornthal : — 

18th. — Extremely low in mind and in want of faith. "No 
creature can conceive what I suffer in the prospect of having 
to speak in a foreign tongue in a religious meeting. 

At Stuttgardt they took leave of their endeared friend, 
Henry Kienlin. 

It is, says J. Y., hard to part ; but every one must follow 
his calling, and mind only the direction of the Lord. 

On quitting Stut.tgardt, John Yeardley makes a few 
remarks regarding the religious state of Wiirtemberg. 

2'2nd. — Wiirtemberg is a favored land. In Feldbach, 
three hours from Stuttgardt, there are about 800 Christian 
people who hold meetings in each other's houses : some of 
them belong to the Kornthal Society. Years ago, many 
emigrated to America and Eussia, to gain religious liberty ; 
now it is granted them by their own Government. 

On the 22nd, they journeyed to Tubingen, where 
they visited the worthy Professor Streundel. 

He was surprised and shy when we entered, as if he 
wanted to say, The sooner you take leave the better. But 
as soon as he knew where we came from, his countenance 
changed, and he received us heartily. He had his wife called 
— a very polite person. He asked many questions as to our 
church discipline, &c. ; the order of our Society pleased him 
much. He had undertaken the study of divinity from an 



^T. 41.] WILHELMSDOEF. 179 

apprehension of duty, and said that it was only bj the assist- 
ance of the Holy Spirit we could be made instrumental in the 
ministry. 

On the 25th they came to Wilhelmsdorf, on the Lake 
of Constance, where is a branch of the Kornthal Asso- 
ciation. They found the director "a man of great 
simpHcity, but of inward worth." 

He was, continues John Yeardley, six years in Kornthal, 
and seems to be sensible of the importance of the situation 
he fills, and of his incapability to be useful to others imless 
assisted by divine grace. He read our certificate attentively, 
and said, in a weighty manner. Yes ; one Lord over all, one 
faith, one baptism. We found they have no regular preacher, 
but meet for worship every evening and on First-day morn- 
ings. . We were desirous of seeing them together, and they 
were pleased to find such was our intention. The bell was 
rung, and in a few minutes the whole colony assembled, about 
two hundred, with children. Much liberty was felt in speak- 
ing among them ; and some of them appeared to be sensible 
of the value of true silence, and from whence words ought to 
spring; many shed tears under the melting influence of divine 
love which was so preciously to be felt amongst us. We took 
an affectionate leave, well satisfied in visiting this little com- 
pany, to strengthen them to hold up the cause of their Lord 
and Master, in the midst of darkness. Within about thirty 
English miles there are none but rigid Eoman Catholics, not 
one Evangelical congregation. At our departure my wife 
said: ''These words arise in my mind for thy comfort: Thy 
faith hath saved thee ; go in peace." 

At the inn where we stopped at Wilhelmsdorf, we were 
spectators of an occurrence rarely to be seen. Among the 
laborers who dined there, the one who had finished first read 
a chapter from the Bible to the rest. When all had done 
eating, one offered a prayer ; and then all went quietly back 
to their work. This practice shows at least the sincerity of 
their hearts. 



CHAPTER IX. 

THE SECOND CONTINENTAL JOUKNEY. 

1827-28. 

PART II. SWITZERLAND. 

On the 27th of the Tenth Month John and Martha 
Yeardley crossed the Swiss frontier to Schaifhausen, 
where their presence was welcomed by several pious 
persons. Amongst these were a young woman, Caroline 
Keller, who from a religious motive had altered her dress 
and manners to greater simplicity, and John Lang, 
Principal of the United Brethren's Society. In a social 
meeting convened on the evening of their arrival, J. L. 
directed the conversation to the principles of Friends, 
and J. and M. Y. explained the views held by the 
Society on silent worship, the ministry, and the disuse 
of ceremonies. 

• The [French] language, says J. Y., was difficult to me ; but 
by the grace of God I was helped, and they were quite ready 
to seize the sense of what we endeavored to convey. The love 
of God was felt among us, and the Principal said, at parting, 
that he had not before been so impressed with our views. I 
sent him Tuke's "Principles," and he told me yesterday he 
was attentively studying it. My dear M. Y. told me it had 
been given her to believe we were in our right place, and that 
we were called by religious intercourse to bear witness for our 
Lord and Master and his good cause. 

I am afraid, he remarks in a letter in which he describes 
their service at Schaffhausen, I am afraid thou wilt think me 
too minute in my details; but really when I enter into the 
(180) 



iET. 41.] THE MISSIONAKY CARPENTER. 181 

feeling which accompanied us in these visits, it seems as if I 
could scarcely quit it. 

They spent the 29 th at Schaifhausen in close Chris- 
tian communion with two pious families. To C. K. 
particularly, at whose house they dined, they felt so 
nearly united, that they scarcely knew how to part from 
her. 

"We have cause to be thankful, says J. Y., for our visit to 
Schaffhausen ; but if we were more faithful we should be more 
useful. Our friends were quite inclined for us to have had a 
meeting with them, but we were too fearful to propose it. O 
vile weakness I 

On the 31st they saw the Agricultural School for poor 
children at Beuggen. Amongst the boys were twelve 
young Greeks, who were being instructed in ancient 
and modern Greek, and in German. They had been 
sent to Switzerland by the German missionaries, and 
most of them had been deprived of their parents by the 
cruelty of the Turks. It was the intention of their 
benefactors that they should return to Greece to en- 
lighten their countrymen. Their religious instruction 
was based simply upon the Bible, without reference to 
any particular creed. 

In the Greek school, writes John Yeardley, we observed a 
serious man about thirty years of age, who had the appear- 
ance of a laborer, learning Greek. This was a little sur- 
prising, and led us to inquire the cause. The inspector readily 
gratified us : and gratifying indeed it was to hear that this 
poor man had given up his work of ship-carpenter, from pure 
conviction that he was called to go and instruct the poor 
Greeks at his own expense. He is intending to spend the 
winter in learning the modern Greek, and to proceed in the 
spring to Corfu. He intends to provide for his own living 



182 THE HERR VON CAMPAGXE. [1827. 

hj working at his trade, and he will take for instruction about 
four boys at a time, and as soon as he has brought them for- 
ward enough, set them as monitors over others. Some time 
ago two young men were sent out by the Bible Society to 
-Corfu; but before they reached the place of their destination 
they were deterred by the missionaries on account of the un- 
settled state of the country, and dared not proceed further for 
fear of losing their lives. It is remarkable that, at the junc- 
ture when these two young men were turned back by discour- 
agement, this poor man should receive the impression to go 
to the same place. We desired to have an interview with him, 
and he was instantly sent for to the Inspector's room. After 
a few remarks which opened for us to make to him, he con- 
fessed he had no peace but when he thought of giving up to 
this feeling of duty, and that when he looked towards going 
he felt happy in the prospect of every hardship. It was re- 
marked that, as this call was made from above, the great 
Master alone could guide his steps ; he appeared fully sensible 
from whom his help must come. He is beloved by his em- 
ployers, and has an excellent certificate from the pastor, of his 
moral and religious character. 

On the 2nd of the Eleventh Month they went to 
Zurich, and the same day drove out over a very bad 
road to Pf affikon to visit the Herr von Campagne. 

We had a cold wet journey, but the good old man gave us 
a hearty welcome to his house. He is seventy-six years of age. 
He asked us pleasantly how we came to think of visiting an 
old man who was on the brink of the grave. He had heard 
much of Friends, and wished, he said, to become personally 
acquainted with some of the Society. He is a most benevo- 
lent character, but we could not unite with all his religious 
views ; he does not think it necessary to meet for religious 
worship ; in short, his principles are much the same as those 
held bv Jacob Bcihmen. 

We slept at his house, and next morning returned to 
Zurich, where we called on our particular friend Professor 



MT. 41.] ZURICH. 183 

Gessner and his family, and we rejoiced mutually to see eacli 
other again. 

In the afternoon they called on Pastor Koch, tutor to 
the young Prince of Mecklenburg, who was at that time 
in Switzerland^ and the next morning. First-day, as they 
were holding their little meeting for worship, the Prince 
himself, with Herr Koch and the Herr von Brandenstein, 
gave them a visit. The Prince spoke English; and 
J. Y. says: — 

I had a strong impression to speak to him in a serious 
way, which I was enabled to do at some length. On parting 
he held me with both his hands in mine, and said, '' I thank 
you, sir, for your kind and instructive communication ; I 
shall never forget it so* long as I live." 

A little before twelve o'clock, he continues, came our kind 
young friend, Hannah Gessner, to accompany us to the 
ancient and worthy Bishop Hess. He is in his eighty-seventh 
year, but lively in spirit and active in mind. He is uncom- 
monly liberal in his religious opinions, and his enlarged heart 
seemed to overflow with Christian love towards the followers 
of Christ under every name. He treated us as a father, and 
I felt instructed in being in his company. He gave us his 
portrait as a token of respect and friendship. 

In the evening we took tea with Professor Gessner's sister, 
Lavater, in company with seven of the professor's daughters 
and sons, who are all serious persons. After some conver- 
sation on the order and ministry of our Society, it was 
proposed by dear Hannah, through her aunt, whether we 
would like to have a Meeting or the Scriptures read. After 
a portion of Scripture had been read silence ensued, in which 
my dear M. Y. and I said what was on our minds in testi- 
mony and supplication. It is a time of precious visitation to 
some of them. We felt sweet unity with Pastor Gessner, 
and believe him to be a gospel minister. On parting he took 
me in both arms, and said, in such a feeling manner that 



184 * HOFWYL. [1827. 

the words went to my very heart, '' The Lord bless thee, and 
put the words of his wisdom into thy mouth." 

On the 6th they went to Berne, and the next morn- 
ing they inspected Fellenberg's institution at Hofwyl. 

It is, says John Yeardley, what it professes to be, for 
education in the fullest extent of the word, to give to those 
committed to their care an education suited to their circum- 
stances and their future prospects in life. There is a first- 
rate boarding school, for young gentlemen; a middle school, 
for tradesmen, &c. ; a [boys' and] girls' poor school of industry, 
for those who can pay nothing. — {^Letter to Josiah Forster.) 

To J. Y. the most interesting department of this 
institution was the school of industry for poor children, 
in which at that time a hundred boys were clothed and 
educated. He describes at some length, and with 
evident approbation, the system on which the school 
was conducted ; but adds, " I cannot say much as to 
religious instruction." 

From Hofwyl they proceeded through Lausanne to 
Geneva, w^here, being desirous of improving themselves 
in French, and the season not permitting them to travel, 
they hired a lodging, intending to remain two or three 
months. 

As on their former visit, they held frequent inter- 
course with pious persons, several of them well known 
in the Christian world ; such as Gaussen, Bost, and 
L'Huillier. Of Theodore L'Huillier, minister of the 
New Church, John Yeardley says : — 

Though a moderate Calvinist, he embraced us at once on 
the broad principle of Christianity. We became acquainted 
with him two years ago, but think him now much deeper in 
the root of real religion. 

11 mo, 19. — We called yesterday evening on our dear friend 
Owen, and met there a pious lady, Fanny Passavant. We 



^T. i2.] GENEVA. 185 

had mucli serious conversation, I hope to profit, at least to 
our own minds ; for we were given to see a little the import- 
ance of the situation in which we stand, and the necessity of 
being, in our intercourse with these religious persons, wise 
as serpents, and harmless as doves. 

1828. 1 mo. 13. — We have had much satisfaction in 
becoming acquainted with Ami Bost. He was one of the 
first who bore testimony to the light which broke forth in the 
corrupt charch of Geneva, and he suffered much in defend- 
ing the doctrines of the New Church. In Germany he was, 
with his wife and six or seven children, driven from town to 
town by the police, for holding religious meetings in his 
house, and for refusing to have his children baptised. His 
sentiments in the office of the ministry and the appointment 
of preachers, are in perfect unison with those of Friends ; also 
on the ordinances of the Supper, &e. 

1 mo. 20. — During the greater part of our stay at this 
place I have felt my mind extremely poor, but a secret desire 
and prayer has been maintained to be preserved in patience, 
believing it to be as necessary to learn to suffer as to do. 
And although it is apparently little we can do here, we have 
felt repeatedly the assurance that it is the ordering of Best 
Wisdom, and as such we are well satisfied. 

After our little morning meeting we went to dine with 
dear Captain Owen, and spent the remainder of the day with 
a few religious friends there. When the evening reading 
was finished, we had a solemn time under the seasoning 
influence of divine love. Our hearts were too full for any 
religious communication, except supplication, which was 
offered both by my dear M. Y. and myself. 

Martha Yeardley also gives an account of this 
meeting, and of a visit they paid to the Female Prison. 

Before our departure for Lausanne and ISTeufchatel, a 
relation of Mary Ann Yernet's kindly attended us to the female 
prison, and introduced us to others of the committee ; and in 
the evening we had a religious opportunity with the few 
confined there, during which they evinced much feeling. 
13 



186 CHANGE OF PURPOSE. [1828. 

Our interesting companion told us the next morning that 
she trusted the circumstance would be blessed to them. We 
had also a very interesting opportunity at Charles Owen's 
the evening before we left, at which was present, as often 
before, a very precious friend of ours, of the name of Fanny 
Passavant, a single woman, very rich, yet who lives in great 
self-denial, and gives almost all she has to feed the poor. She 
is what they call in this country a very interior character ; 
which means one that cherishes the inward life. In her 
company we often felt baptized together, and she gave us 
strong recommendations to some of the same class at 
Neufchatel, who are desiring to learn in the school of Christ. 
—{^Letter to Elizabeth Dudley?) 

At the expiration of their sojourn in Geneva, they 
did not, as they had expected to do, proceed to the 
valleys of Piedmont, but, as the last extract intimates, 
turned their steps towards Neufchatel. The motives 
which influenced them in this change of purpose are 
described by John Yeardley, in a letter to his brother, 
of the 11th of the Second Month, 1828. 

In my last to thee I signified our intention of departing 
for the valleys of Piedmont, which did not take place. After 
due consideration of the subject for more than two months, 
in a state of humble resignation to be directed aright in 
this important matter, we did not feel it press with suffi- 
cient weight on our minds to warrant our moving in the face 
of so much difficulty as is at present in the way. "We have 
always considered our safety in such engagements to depend 
on taking step by step in the fresh light affi^rded ; and it is a 
favor to know when and where to stand, as well as when to 
go forward. 

While the way to Piedmont was thus for a time 
obstructed, a door was set open for them in a part of 
Switzerland which they had not yet visited. From 
John Yeardley's reflections before they left Geneva, it 



^T. 42.] LAUSANNE. 187 

would appear that in the discouragement they felt in the 
prospect of a long journey through France, they were 
little aware of that plentiful repast of spiritual food 
which was to be served to them before they would have 
to cross the Jura. 

In looking towards the long journey before us, writes J. Y., 
I have been much discouraged, almost fearing to depart from 
this place without first being favored with more quietude of 
mind, which I was this morning favored to feel in a greater 
degree than has been the case for a long time. In my last 
solitary walk to La Traille, I was led to pray in secret for 
preservation on our journey, and almost to ask an assurance 
of protection, but received for answer, " Gro, in faith." 

On the 21st of the First Month, they left Geneva 
and went forward to Lausanne, where they were again 
refreshed with the society of some spiritually-minded 
persons. 

2Srd. — "We visited several of tbe pastors. We found 
M. F^vaz, minister of the Seceders in this place, very inter- 
esting, humble, and spiritual. He related to us, in much 
simplicity and candor, that in the commencement of their 
separation they were strenuous to preach doctrinal sermons, 
but now they had been favored to see the necessity of 
preaching purification of heart through the operation of the 
Spirit. 

Called on Gaudin, who keeps a boarding-school in a 

beautiful situation near the town. We had not been long in 
the company of him and his dear wife, before we felt much 
contrited together, and had a precious religious opportunity. 
At parting, the dear man, with myself, was quite broken into 
tears. We left with him, as well as with the others. Judge 
Hale's '' Testimony to the Secret Support of Divine Provi- 
dence," which we had translated, and had got printed at 
Geneva. 



188 NEUFCHATEL. [1828. 

On the 24th they proceeded to Neufchatel. This was 
a memorable visit. 

We soon found cause, writes John Yeardley, to believe the 
Great Master had been before us, to prepare the way in the 
hearts of many to receive the doctrine he has mercifully 
enabled us to preach. Our dear F. Passavant had given us 
a letter of introduction to Auguste Borel, a man of few words, 
but of a remarkably weighty and sweet spirit, who received 
us with the greatest affection. He has lately separated 
from the national worship, and retires in silence in his own 
chamber. He soon made us acquainted with a few others of 
a similar turn of mind. 

Martha Yeardley, describing the commencement of 
their religious service in this place, says: — 

"We were invited to a meeting which we felt most easy to 
attend, and my husband was given full liberty to speak if he 
felt inclined ; but for a while the usual activity of their meet- 
ings — such as singing, commenting on texts with Calvinistic 
explanations, &c. — entirely closed our way. But before they 
separated I ventured to request, in the name of my husband, 
that such as inclined would favor us with their company a 
while longer, and rest a little in silence. Kearly all remained, 
and under a solemn covering he addressed the company, while 
I translated in much fear, yet ventured at the end to say a 
few words for myself. Several of the company attended us 
home, and expressed much satisfaction: and from this time 
a door was opened to us at ISTeufchatel in a very remarkable 
manner. They flocked to our inn at all times in the day, 
and in considerable numbers, many acknowledging, in the 
course of very interesting conversation, that they thirsted for 
something more satisfying than mere doctrines continually 
repeated — something that would preserve from evil, that 
would cleanse the heart, that would bring into nearer com- 
munion with the Saviour. — {Leiter to Elizabeth Dudley) 

On the 27th, continues the Diary, A. Borel conducted us 



^T. 42.] BEENE — SCHERLI. 189 

to a meeting witli some interior persons, about three miles 
from town. It was a time of close exercise of mind, but 
ended to satisfaction, and, I hope, to the edification and 
strength of some present. The master of the house, Professor 
Petavel, said that never until that evening had he been able 
to see clearly the beauty and advantage of pure spiritual 
worship, contrasted with outward forms. 

After having taken tea with a large company, our kind 
guide conducted us through woods and over mountainous and 
bad roads to a village, where a large concourse of people 
were assembled for worship. A schoolmaster was speaking 
on a chapter which had been read : we had full unity with 
what he delivered, which was accompanied with a power 
which convinced us that he really preached the gospel. After 
he had done, we were introduced as religious strangers from 
England ; and silence ensuing, opportunity was given for us 
to express what came before us. 

28^/z. — Some of the most interior told us they had long 
been exercised about spiritual worship, and had often wished 
to see some of the Society of Friends. On hearing of our 
intended visit two years ago, they said if we had come then 
[we should have found them] wrapped up in doctrines, but 
now they were given to see they could not live on the letter 
alone, they must be born again, and partake of that bread 
which Cometh down from heaven. Many of these awakened 
persons came to our inn at all hours, and our hearts were 
filled with love towards them as a cup overflowing ; so that 
it was given to us to minister to them almost individually as 
they came to us. 

On the 29th they went to Berne, and the following 
morning walked over to Wabern, where some of A. 
Borel's friends resided, who received them with open 
arms. 

After dinner M. Combe drove us in his car to Scherli. We 
alighted at the house of one of the peasant-farmers, situated 
quite among the mountains, with the Alps fair in view. They 



190 PIOUS CHIMNEY-SWEEPER. [1828. 

received us in the name of disciples with every mark of love 
and respect. They were more disposed to sit in silence than 
to ask questions. On my asking if they had seen or heard 
of any of our Friends, in these parts, one of them innocently 
replied, No ; we do not know anything of your religious 
principles. T then began to explain them; and when I 
spoke of our manner of worship, belief, &c., and of some of 
our peculiar tenets respecting Baptism, the Supper, &c., it is 
not possible to express their emotion ; their eyes turned first 
towards one and then towards another, and seemed to sparkle 
with joy, without their uttering a word till I had done. These 
were entirely the principles they held, and about a year ago 
they separated from the church, about twenty in number, and 
attempted to meet for religious worship. This was prevented 
by the police; for although they live in a very remote 
situation, they are strictly watched by the pastor, who wishes 
to compel them to come to his worship. We were there only 
an hour or two, but a number of these innocent-hearted 
people came flocking to the house, and immediately settled 
into a silence truly solemn. We could indeed say our hearts 
burned with love towards them. 

Two of these young men came to us the next day, and 
spent most of the day with us. One of them. Christian 
Speicher, told me he did not know how to express the satis- 
faction he felt to hear of a body of professing Christians in a 
distant land, who held the same religious principles as they 
in their isolated situation had been long seeking after and 
had been made willing to suffer for. 

During our stay under this hospitable roof [M. Combe's at 
Wabern] it was an open house for all comers, and they were 
not few. Our spirits were so united with many of them 
we did not know how to leave them ; but our great concern 
was to recommend them to remain with Him who had so 
mercifully and powerfully visited them. 

On the 31st they returned to Berne, and the next day 
called upon a pious chimney-sweeper, waiting whilst he 
changed his sooty clothes. 



JET. 42.] MONTMIRAIL — LOCLE. 191 

"We were not a Jittle surprised to hear him of his own accord, 
without knowing who we were, declare the same doctrine as 
we are concerned to preach. There are a few inward persons 
who assemble at his house, and hold the same sentiments. 
About a year and a half or two years ago, there was a re- 
markable awakening in the canton of Berne, and a few here 
and there of a more spiritually -minded sort seceded. There 
is a ferment to prevent their meeting together, and to compel 
them to go to the usual place of worship ; but in vain, for 
nothing but spiritual food can satisfy their hungry souls. 

On their return to Neufchatel they visited the cele- 
brated school of the Moravians at Montmirail, where, 
says Martha Yeardley — 

"We soon felt quite at home with a precious, spiritually- 
minded man, the master, and his agreeable English wife. This 
is an excellent institution, for females only, and several English 
are there. We were about seventy in company at dinner, and 
much sweet feeling prevailed. The master of this interesting 
family was delighted to hear something of Friends to whom 
he had never before been introduced. 

At Neufchatel, on First-day (2 mo. 3,) they met large 
companies in the morning and evening, and the next 
morning took leave of their friends in that city, " deeply 
humbled under a sense of the great Master's work among 
them." They went to Locle under the conduct of A. 
Borel, whose " kindness exceeded all description." 

On the way, writes John Yeardley, we took refreshment at 
a pious man's house in the morning, and dined at another 
friend's, with whom we had a precious religious opportunity. 
It reminded me of the mode of visiting our own dear Friends 
in England; we find in the hearts of these visited children 
of the Universal Parent genuine hospitality; they hand us 
of all they have in their houses in the name of disciples. 



192 MARY ANNE CALAME. [1828. 

At Locle tliey were met by Mary Anne Calame, with 
whom their hearts became instantly knit in the strongest 
Christian friendship. 

She came before we were well alighted. We had heard 
much of the character and benevolent exertions of this dear 
woman but could say in truth the half had not been told us. 
Her countenance is strong and impressive, her hair jet black, 
cut short, and worn without cap ; her dress of the most simple 
and least costly kind. Her sole desire seems to be to do the 
will of her Lord and Master in caring for 170 poor children, 
who are in the institution at bed, board, and instruction. The 
forenoon was spent in looking over the schools and hearing 
the children examined. The house is a refuge for the lame, 
blind, deaf, dumb, and sick. Peace and contentment prevail 
through the whole. This establishment was commenced about 
twelve years ago with five children, and has prospered in a 
remarkable manner. M. A. C. is one with Friends in principle, 
and, as well as some others of the family, entirely separated 
from the usual forms of worship. 

Martha Yeardley, in a letter from which we have 
already quoted, describes the origin of the asylum. 

About twelve years since M. A. Calame believed herself 
called to form an institution for orphans and unfortunate chil- 
dren. She associated some others with her for this object, but 
having peculiar views on religious subjects, and more persever- 
ance than her colleagues, she was soon left nearly alone, with 
means entirely inadequate to the increasing demands, viz., 
about three francs yearly from a very limited number of per- 
sons. The children daily augmented, and she dared not 
refuse admission : when in necessity she was encouraged to 
trust from unexpected donations. This increased her faith; 
and after some years,, a boys' school was added. In this way 
the institution has been supported without any regular funds. 



MT. 42.] LEAVE SWITZEELAND. 193 

Her faith is still often very severely t-^ied, but they have 
never yet been suffered to want. Her refuge in times of ex- 
tremity is prayer, and it has been in some instances very evi- 
dently answered, so that she has severely reproached herself 
for daring to doubt. In speaking on this subject she said to 
me: ''I am at times much beset with temptations when I con- 
sider the number I have thus collected without any visible or 
certain means of support ; but how can "I dare to doubt after 
so many proofs of the care of the great Master ? He knows 
our wants ; he knows these dear children have need of food 
and clothing, and he provides it for them ; and he knows that 
all I desire is to do his will." 

On remarking to her the sweet tranquillity and order which 
reign in, these schools, she said, ''It is the Master's work ; 
they are taught to love him above all, and to do all for his 
sake." We felt very nearly united to her and to an intimate 
friend who resides with her : they are both what are called 
deeply interior characters, and have long withdrawn from the 
places of public worship, but fully unite with our views. 

She is really a very extraordinary character, extremely sim- 
ple and cheerful in her manners, possessing great natural 
talents, and evincing in her conducting of the institution, not 
only the Spirit, but the understanding also. — {To Elizabeth 
Dudley, 2 mo. 7, 1828.) 

With Lode, John and Martha Yeardley's mission to 
Switzerland for this time terminated. They crossed the 
frontier into France, and made the best of their way 
through that country, in order to proceed to the Channel 
Islands. 

This morning (2 mo. 5,) writes J. Y., Mary Anne Calame and 
her friend Zimmerling, with A. Borel, accompanied us two 
leagues to the ferry, and saw us safe over into France. This 
last parting with friends so dear to us in a foreign land, was 
very touching ; our hearts were humbled under a sense of the 
Heavenly Father's love. 

Qih. — Passing the custom-house made us late at our quar- 



194 JOURNEY THROUGH FRANCE. [1828 

ters, where thej are not accustomed to receive such guests. 
Their curiosity to see and know who we are is very great. 
To prevent French imposition, my M. Y. was to bargain 
beforehand for what we had. On asking what the meal 
would cost, we were answered they could not tell, for they 
did not know how much coffee we should drink. This simple 
but appropriate reply so amused us that it put an end to our 
bargaining. 

I shall not soon forget the sensation I felt on passing the 
river into France. I could not forbear drawing the discour- 
aging contrast of quitting those to whom we had become 
united in the gospel of peace, in a country the most beautiful 
that Nature can present, with a long journey in prospect 
through a dreary country whose inhabitants wish only to get 
what they can from us. These discouraging fears could only 
be silenced by reflecting that the same protecting Providence 
presides over all and everywhere. 

Travelling with their own single horse, their favorite 
Poppet^ the progress they made was necessarily slow, 
and they did not reach Paris till the 19th. After spend- 
ing a few days in that city, they proceeded to Cherbourg, 
and arrived there after six days of hard travelling. At 
this place John Yeardley writes : — 

3 mo. 2. — In looking back on our late travels, a degree of 
sweet peace and thankfulness covered my mind in the humble 
belief that our weak but sincere desires to do the great 
Master's will was a sacrifice well-pleasing in his holy sight. 
In looking forward to the dangers we had still to encounter, 
I was led closely to examine on what our hope of preservation 
was fixed. Should it please Him who had hitherto blessed 
■us with his presence and protecting care, to put our faith 
again to the test, how we could bear it, how we should feel at 
the prospect of going down to the bottom of the great deep. 
I felt a particular satisfaction that our great journey had 
first been accomplished ; if this had not been the case it 
would have been a sting in my conscience. But now an 



^T. 42.] ACCIDENT OX THE WATER. 105 

<iwful resignation was experienced, and it came before me as 
an imperious duty to be resigned to life or death; and the 
joyful hope resounded in my heart, All will be well to those 
who love not their lives unto death. 

The presentiment of danger which this passage de- 
scribes v^^as speedily fulfilled, as was also the hopeful 
promise by which it was accompanied. They were 
detained at Cherbourg until the 13th, waiting for a 
vessel. Leaving port early that morning, they landed in 
Guernsey the next day ; and it was in going ashore that 
they were exposed to some danger of their lives. John 
Yeardley thus relates the occurrence : — 

I descended first into a little boat, and standing on the 
side to take my M. Y. down, the man not holding the boat 
secure to the ship, our weight pushed it from us, and we 
plunged headlong into the sea. My dear M. Y.'s clothes 
prevented her from sinking, and she was first assisted again 
into the boat. I went overhead, and had to swim several 
turns before I could reach the boat. The salt water being 
warm, and the time not long, we received no further injury. 
What shall we render unto the Lord for all his mercies to 
us, his poor unworthy servants ! how often has he made bare 
his mighty arm for our deliverance. In the midst of danger 
fear was removed from us, and we were blessed with the 
unspeakable advantage of presence of mind, and enabled 
to use the best means under Divine Providence to save our 
lives. 

They visited the Friends and a few other persons in 
Guernsey and Jersey, and then proceeded to Wey- 
mouth, and on the 25th to Bristol. At Bristol and 
Tewkesbury they were deeply interested in the state of 
the meetings, and had some remarkable service in both 
places. Taking also Nottingham and Chesterfield in 
their way, and being "well satisfied in not having 



196 RETURN HOME. [1828. 

overrun them," they arrived at the cottage at Burton 
on the 8th of the Fourth Month, having been absent 
about nine months. 

In the retrospect, say they, of this long and arduous jour- 
ney, we have this testimony unitedly to bear, — that the Arm 
of divine love has been underneath to support and help us ; 
and although we have had many deep baptisms to pass through, 
especially when we beheld how in many places the fields are 
white unto harvest, and were fully sensible of our own ina- 
bility to labor therein, yet He who, we trust, sent us forth 
was often pleased to raise us from the depth of discourage- 
ment, to rejoice in him our Saviour. If any fruits arise from 
our feeble efforts to promote his cause, it will be from his 
blessing resting upon them, for nothing can possibly be at- 
tached to us but weakness and want of faith. But, blessed be 
his holy name, he knew the sincerity of our endeavors to do 
his will, and has been pleased in his condescending mercy to 
fill our hearts with his enriching peace. Amen. 



CHAPTER X. 

HOME OCCUPATIONS AND TKAVELS IN ENGLAND AND WALES. 

1828—1833. 

On their return home Martha Yeardley was attacked 
with a severe illness, consequent probably on hard trav- 
elhng and bad accommodation during the journey. 

Under date of the 18th of the Fifth Month, J. Y. 
writes : — 

How circumstances change ! Last Yearly Meeting we were 
in London with the prospect of a long journey before us, and 
now my dear Martha is on a bed of sickness, and I have 
myself sufl'ered ; but through all there is a degree of peaceful 
resignation in the belief that all is done well that the Great 
Master does, and that what He keeps is well kept. 

Later in the day he thus continues his Diary : — 

This has been a day of great trial on account of my 
deat Martha being much worse. My poor mind has been 
distressed at her weaK state : I should sink under discourage- 
ment, did I not consider that He who sends affliction can sup- 
port in it, and he who brings low can raise up in his own time, 
if it be his blessed will, to which all must be submitted. 

In the Seventh Month he took her to Harrowgate, 
where her health became very much restored, and soon 
after their return they paid a religious visit to 
Ackworth School and to the families of Friends in 
Barnsley. 

Some of the opportunities at Ackworth, writes Jonn 

(197) 



198 LETTER FROM M. A. CALAME. [1828. 

Yeardley, were seasons of m-ucli contrition of spirit ; feeling 
deeply humbled under a sense of Divine goodness and mercy 
in restoring this large family to usual health after a time of 
deep affliction. 

In the latter part of this year they were much occu- 
pied in establishing an Infant School at Barnsley ; and 
also in collecting and remitting subscriptions to Mary 
Anne Calame for her Orphan Institution. In acknow- 
ledging to Martha Yeardley one of these remittances, 
M. A. C. writes thus: 

May our Heavenly Father render thee a hundredfold what 
thy charity has prompted thee to do for my numerous family 
of children ; and may his blessing rest on all those who have 
contributed to it. 

"We think of you every day, and we desire to live only to 
do the holy will of our God. Your visit has been a testi- 
mony of his love towards us ; he has permitted that it should 
be blessed to us ; for the remembrance of vou carries us 
towards Him who is the finisher of our faith, where we mingle 
with you in the unfathomable sea of the divine mercy. 

My large family is much blessed ; good and happy ten- 
dencies manifest themselves in many, and in general peace 
reigns through the house. The assistant masters and mis- 
tresses walk more or less in the presence of the Lord; the 
governess [M. Zimraerling] especially grows deeper in the 
divine life : she is often ill, but she bears this cross, by the 
help that is given her from above, with much submission and 
faith. 

Last month we had the pleasure of making a little journey 
to Berne and the neighborhood, to visit our friends there 
who love you so much. We heard that you had both fallen 
into the sea, and that thou wast ill in consequence. Thou 
mayst understand how the wishes of our hearts encompassed 
thee; I have felt my soul for ever united to thine in the 
Lord ; and it seems to me that if my eyes should never again 
meet thine in this land of exile, I should speedily recognize 



^T. 43.] DIARY. 199 

thee in the happy mansions where the goodness of the 
Eedeemer has prepared us a place. O, my sister, may he bless 
thee, may he bless John whom he has given thee to accom- 
plish his work ; may he open thy mouth and direct all thy 
steps, and give seals to thine and thy husband's ministry, and 
make you increase together unto the stature of Christ. — (12 
mo. 14, 1828.) 

The entries in the Diary at this period are not 
numerous: we select from them the following short 
memorandum : — 

1829. 4 mo. 9. — In our usual reading this morning, I was 
struck with these words : " If two of you shall agree on earth 
as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for 
them of my Father which is in heaven." (Matt, xviii. 19.) A 
fervent desire was raised in my heart that we might unitedly 
ask for faith and strength to do the will of our Heavenly 
Father, and that his blessing and preservation might attend 
all that concerns us. 

In the Fifth Month they attended the Yearly 
Meeting ; and John Yeardley was present at the anni- 
versary of the Peace Society. 

♦ 

5 mo. 19. — Attended a meeting of the Peace Society, much 

to my own satisfaction. It was truly gratifying to hear from 
those not in profession with us, such strong and decided 
sentiments against all war, as being not only inconsistent 
with the spirit of Christianity, but also contrary to sound 
policy. I am convinced 'public meetings are necessary to 
keep alive public feeling, as well as to excite individual 
interest. As it regards myself, I can say, before attending 
the meeting I felt but little concern with respect to this 
great question. 

Soon after their return home, they were comforted 
by the intelligence that a few of those persons at 
Neufchatel who had so joyfully received their gospel 



200 LETTER FROM A. BOREL. [1829. 

message, had found strength to estabhsh a meeting for 
worship. This information was contained in a letter 
from Auguste Borel, from which the following is an 
extract : — 

He who tries the heart, and who knew the sincerity of my 
desires, deigned to hear my prayer on the 24th of February, 
when, without any previous understanding, we met four in 
number at my house at ten o'clock in the morning. This 
day is called with us Torch Sunday, and is a day of rejoicing 
in the world ; and, if I ought to say so, during my carnal life 
it was to me a day of true pleasure, which I always looked 
for with impatience, because of the great bonfires which are 
then lighted, and which are seen from our city, illuminating 
every point of the wide horizon. It is my hope that the God 
of love, in the analogy of the spiritual order of things, may 
have kindled in our hearts his sacred fire, and will con- 
descend to maintain and increase it in time and in eternity. 
Since that time we have continued our meetings without 
interruption : our number has not yet exceeded six or seven. 
We do not force the work, but, recognising that it is the Lord 
alone who has begun it, I feel daily more and more that He 
alone ought to direct it. 

A portion of this summer and autumn was occupied 
by John and Martha Yeardley with holding public 
meetings for worship within the compass of Pontefract 
and Knaresborough Monthly Meetings. Amongst the 
notices in the Diary of these meetings, are the fol- 
lowing : — 

8 mo. 16. — A public meeting at "Wooldale, to which came 
many more people than could get into the house. The 
Friends said they never saw so large a meeting in that place. 
Many of those present expressed their satisfaction by saying 
they could have sat till morning to hear what was delivered. 
It is an easy matter to become hearers of the word ; but it was 
the doers of the word that were pronounced happy. 



JE^r. 43.] DEATH OF J. A. WILSO^^. 201 

2Brd. — Meeting at Otley, in the Methodist chapel. It was 
not very full, but very solid and satisfactory. The last public 
meeting in this place was held in silence, which might pro- 
bably be the cause of a small attendance on this occasion. It 
is hard work to bring the people to see and feel the advan- 
tage of silent worship : the time is not yet come, and perhaps 
never may. We must be willing to help them in the way 
pointed out, and try to strengthen the good in all ; for if 
they are only brought to the Father's house, it matters not 
in what way or through what medium. 

In the Eleventh Month they returned to the Monthly 
Meeting the minute which had been granted them, and 
received at the same time a certificate to visit some 
meetings of Friends in the midland and south-western 
counties. 

Before they left home for this journey, they received 
intelligence that John Yeardley's early and intimate 
friend James A. Wilson was no more. 

11 mo. 24. — My heart, says J. Y., is pained within me, 
while I record the loss of one with whom I have been for 
many years on the most intimate terms. He has long had 
an afflicted tabernacle and a suffering mind, which, I believe, 
contributed to his refinement, and prepared him for the awful 
change. He had been recommended to go to a warmer 
climate, and had taken up his residence at Gloucester, where 
he died, which prevented us from attending him in his last 
moments. He possessed much originality of character, joined 
to sincerity and genuine piety ; and I doubt not he expe- 
rienced the fulfilment of this promise: '^ Behold, I have 
caused thy iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee 
with change of raiment." (Zech. iii. 4.) 

On the 11th of the Twelfth Month they left home, 
and during the next two months were closely occupied 
in visiting various meetings from Yorkshire to Devon- 
shire. 

14 



202 BRISTOL — PLYMOUTH. [1830. 

Their service commenced with an encouraging meet- 
ing at Monyash, in Derbyshire. 

ISih. — The first meeting we attended was at Monyash. It 
was larger than we had expected, in consequence of strangers 
coming in, and proved rather a lively commencement to our 
spiritual course of labor. 

On the 14th they held a meeting in the Potteries, in 
a cottage belonging to one of the few Friends in the 
place. Word having got abroad that strangers were 
expected, many of the neighbors came in, so that the 
rooms below-stairs were filled: it was a refreshing 
time. They found in the woman to whom the cottage 
belonged a bright example of piety and charity. 

She has been, says J. Y., a cripple from her childhood ; 
but is able to maintain herself by keeping a school for little 
children ; she is not unmindful, also, to help her poorer neigh- 
bors out of her small earnings. 

At Bristol, where they arrived on the 1st of the 
First Month, 1830, they rested a few days at H. and 
M. Hunt's. 

We had, says J. Y., much pleasure in being in this family. 
Bristol is the largest meeting we have in our Society in 
England, and to me it was a very trying one on the First- 
day morning. I was much cast down after meeting ; but we 
staid over the Monthly Meeting on Third-day, which afforded 
me relief of mind, and I left with as much comfort as I couJd 
well desire. 

At Plymouth John Yeardley found an object of 
lively interest in Lady Eogers' Charity School, esta- 
blished to fit girls for becoming household servants. 
He was gratified with the good order, simplicity, 
and economy, which pervaded the institution. Martha 



^T. 44.] EEVIEW OF THE JOURNEY. 203 

Yeardley suffered much during their journey in Devon- 
shire, from the inclemency of the weather ; and a heavy 
fall of snow on the night of the 17th prevented their 
leaving Plymouth at the time intended. In consequence 
of this, they hired a lodging, and employed themselves 
in visiting the Friends from house to house, and in 
organising an infant school, which the Friends had long 
desired to see established. 

On their return from Plymouth they stopped at 
Sidcot, where they spent some time at the Friends' 
school. Here the subject of offering prizes to children 
came under the notice of J. Y., and like all other 
subjects connected with education, engaged his serious 
reflection. 

It would certainly be better, he says, if the basis of good 
actions could be laid in the children's minds on a principle 
of rectitude and justice, so that they might be taught to do 
well from a love of truth, and not from a fear of punishment 
or a hope of reward ; but so long as human nature remains 
unchanged, a check against the one and an incitement to the 
other seem to be necessary, as a help to overcome the evil in 
the mind, until that which is good shall become predominant 

They returned to Yorkshire through Warwick and 
Leicester, and on reviewing the journey John Yeardley 
has the following reflections : — 

2 mo. 22. — Almost all the meetings we attended on this 
journey of 800 miles are very small, except Birmingham and 
Bristol, and the life of religion is low among the members in 
general; which is not much to be wondered at, when we 
consider that many of those meetings are constituted [chiefly] 
of a few individuals who have had a birthright in the 
Society — born members but not new-born Christians, without 
the power or form of religion, no outward means to excite 
them to faith and good works. If they neglect the spirit of 



204 TEARLY MEETING. [1830. 

prayer in themselves, it is not surprising they should grow 
cold in love and zeal for the noble cause of truth on the 
earth. But in the lowest of these [meetings] there is some- 
thing alive to visit, and in going along we felt the renewed 
evidence that we were in our right allotment in thus going 
about, endeavoring to strengthen the things that remain; 
and though we have had to pass through much suffering, 
both outward and inward, yet we have also experienced times 
of rejoicing in doing the will of our Lord and Saviour Jesus 
.Christ. 

After the Quarterly Meeting in the Third Month 
they visited each of the meetings within their own 
Monthly Meeting, " thinking," says J. Y., " a little 
pastoral care was due to our Friends at home, seeing 
we are often concerned to go abroad." 

In the Fifth Month they went up to the Yearly 
Meeting, via Lincolnshire, taking several meetings in 
the way. Among the subjects which occupied Friends 
in their annual conference this year was that of mis- 
sions to the heathen, which, it was proposed by some, 
should be taken up by the Society. 

The subject, writes John Yeardley, was fully entered into, 
and the interest was very great. Many Friends spoke their 
sentiments freely and feelingly, and the subject was taken 
on minute to be revived next year. If this important matter 
were brought home to each individual of us, there would be 
more missionaries prepared and sent forth to labor ; but we 
love ease and our homes, contenting ourselves with reading 
and talking about what is going forward in the great cause of 
religion and righteousness in the earth. 

They returned home through the midland counties, 
visiting most of the meetings in Oxfordshire, and in the 
parts adjacent ; which they had been unable to do the 
previous year in returning from the West. 



^T. 4:4:.] JOURXEY TO WALES. 205 

It was comforting to us, Jolm Yeardley says, to be with 
Friends in Oxfordshire, whom we had so long thought of. 
Many of their meetings are small ; but there are a few indi- 
viduals among them precious and improving characters, who, 
I believe, are under the preparing hand for greater usefulness 
in the Lord's church. "With these we were often dipped into 
near union of spirit, which sometimes caused the divine life 
to rise among us to the refreshing of our spirits. 

In the Sixth Month they again left home, being 
minded to see how the churches fared in the eastern 
part of Yorkshire. The point which most interested 
them in this tour was Scarborough, where they were 
attracted both by the town itself and by the little society 
of Friends. " It felt to us," says J. Y., " very much 
like a home. We lodged at Elizabeth Rowntree's, a 
sweet resting-place." (7 mo. 4.) 

At the same time that they reported to their Monthly 
Meeting the attention they had paid to this service, 
they received its sanction to undertake a journey in 
Wales. 

It is truly humbling to us, writes John Yeardley, in 
describing this occasion, thus to have to expose ourselves, 
poor and weak as we are ; but the cause is not our own, but 
is in the hands of our great Lord and Master. May he help 
us! {7 mo. 19.) 

They left home on the 7th of the Eighth Month, and 
spent the 11th at Coalbrookdale, in the company of 
Barnard Dickinson and his wife. From thence Samuel 
Hughes accompanied them as guide into Wales, and 
continued with them a week. 

He proved, says J. Y., a most efficient helper in this wild 
country, knowing the roads well, and he was kind and atten- 
tive to us and our horse. The stages are long and hilly, and 



206 JOURNEY TO WALES. [1830. 

we are ofteD obliged to go many miles round the mountains 
to make our way from one place to another. The road to 
Pales is over the moors ; we scarcely saw a house for miles, 
except here and- there a little cot, on a plot of ground obtained 
as a grant to encourage industry. These little dwellings were 
generally surrounded by a few acres of well-cultivated land 
enclosed from the moor. It is much to be regretted that 
the plan of cottage culture is not more generally promoted ; 
wherever I see it practised I view it with pleasure, as tending 
to increase the comforts of the poor. 

On the 19th they attended the Half-year's Meeting 
at Swansea. A Committee of the Yearly Meeting was 
present. Elizabeth Dudley was also there, with a cer- 
tificate for religious service ; and she and John and 
Martha Yeardley, finding that the errand on w^hich 
they were come was the same, resolved to join company 
and travel together through South and North Wales. 
They were accompanied throughout the journey by 
Robert and Jane Eaton of Bryn-y-Mor. 

As there are very few meetings of Friends in Wales, 
the chief part of their service was beyond the limits 
of the Society. They met with great openness in many 
places from the Methodists and other preachers and 
their congregations. From the notes which John 
Yeardley made of their religious labors in this journey, 
we select several passages. 

9 mo. 13. Aberystwith. — Our first object was to inquire 
for a place of meeting. We found they were all engaged for 
that evening, which detained us here a day longer than we 
had expected ; but this little detention enabled us to make 
acquaintance with two of the Independent preachers, to whom 
we became much attached in gospel fellowship, A. Shadrach 
and his son. The father preaches in Welsh, and the son in 
English. It was comforting to us to meet with two such 
pious, humble-minded Christians, laboring diligently to 



JET. 44.] ABEEY.-T^'ITH — MACHYXLLETH. 207 

forward the cause of religion. They kindly offered us their 
chapel for the evening, and after the meeting they both ex- 
pressed much satisfaction in having been favored with such 
an opportunity. 

9 mo. 15. — We arrived pretty early at Machynlleth, which 
is a clean little town. We did not know but that we might 
have proceeded on our journey after having refreshed our- 
selves and our horses; but, E. D. feeling much interested 
for the people of the town, it seemed best to have a meeting 
with them. I walked out, and seeing a good meeting-house, 
inquired to what persuasion of people it belonged, and found 
it was an Independent chapel, and that the minister lived 
about a mile and a half in the country. 

The prospect of being unable to make the people under- 
stand us was discouraging ; for in the streets there was 
nothing to be heard but Welsh. However there was no time 
for reasoning, it being near twelve o'clock, and all must be 
arranged by seven in the evening. After some difficulty we 
found the preacher, a kind-hearted pious man, who readily 
granted his chapel, and undertook to act as interpreter 
should occasion require. This was the only place where we 
adopted the vulgar mode of giving notice by the town-crier, 
so common on all occasions in this country ; but the time 
was short, and many of the people were not able to read 
our English notices, which we generally filled up for the 
purpose. 

The meeting was pretty fully attended, and the people 
were mostly quiet, considering there were many who could 
not understand. W^hen E. D. sat down the minister repeated 
in substance what she had said; for, not being used to speak 
through an interpreter, she declined his giving sentence by 
sentence. AYhen he had done, I felt something press on my 
mind towards the poorer classes present, who I was sure 
could not understand English; so I stepped down from the 
pulpit, and placing myself by the minister, requested he 
would render for me a few sentences as literally as he could. 
This he did kindly, and, I believe, faithfully, to the relief of 
my mind. He then addressed a few words on his own 



208 LLANGOLLEN. [1830. 

account to the assembly and dismissed them. "We regretted 
the want of the native language, as we could not have the 
same command over the meeting as would otherwise have been 
the case. 

At Barmouth, instead of convening the people to hear 
the word, they had to exercise a Christian gift of a dif- 
ferent kind — the gift of spiritual judgment. 

9 mo. 19. — On entering Barmouth we thought of a meeting 
with the inhabitants ; but on feeling more closely at the sub- 
ject the way did not appear clear ; there was something which 
we could neither see nor feel through. This power of spir- 
itual discrimination is very precious. How instructive it is 
to mark our impressions under various circumstances and at 
different times ! 

9 mo. 25. — At Ruthin we obtained information respecting 
the few individuals at Llangollen who profess with Friends, 
and set off to pay them a visit. We arrived at the beautiful 
vale of Llangollen to dinner, and alighted at the King's Head 
Inn, at the foot of the bridge, which afforded us a fine view 
of the Dee. There are at present only four or five persons 
who meet regularly as Friends. They live scattered in the 
country, and are in the humbler walks of life ; but we thought 
them upright-hearted Christians who had received their re- 
hgious principles from conviction. We saw them on First- 
day morning in the room where they usually meet, and again 
in the evening at our inn, and were much comforted in being 
with them. The room where they meet is in such [ an obscure 
situation] that we should never have found it without a guide. 
We thought it right to procure them a more convenient room, 
which we did. 

21th. — In the evening we had a public meeting in the 
Independent Chapel, which was crowded ; there is much 
openness in the minds of the people to receive the truths of 
the gospel. Before the assembly separated, we proposed to 
them to establish a school for poor children ; several present 
expressed their conviction of the want of such an institution, 



^T. 44.] LLANGOLLEN. 209 

and the minister was so warm in tlie cause that he proposed 
their commencing without delaj. 

2Qth. — We went to Wrexham, and had a meeting in the 
evening. Tlie notice was short, but the people came punc- 
tually, and a precious time it was. After it was over several 
bore testimony to the good which had been extended to them 
that evening, and were ready to cling to the instruments, 
inviting us to have a meeting with them when we came again 
that way. 

This favored time, at the close of our labors among a peo- 
ple whom I much love, seemed like a crown on our exit from 
long-to-be-remembered Wales. My heart was humbled in 
reverent thankfulness to the Father of all our mercies, who 
had graciously preserved us in outward danger, and sustained 
lis in many an inward conflict. 

At Coalbrookdale they bade an affectionate and gospel 
farewell to the Friends with whom they had been so 
closely united in this long journey, and returned to Bur- 
ton on the 20th of the Tenth Month. 

In the Eleventh Month they made a circuit through 
Lancashire, taking all the meetings of Friends in course. 
They found " several meetings chiefly composed of such 
as had joined the Society on the ground of convincement, 
mostly in places where no ministering Friend resided." 
In visiting one of these small meetings, John Yeardley 
relates a circumstance in the gospel labors of his friend 
Joseph Wood : — 

We visited a little newly-settled meeting at Thornton 
Marsh, near Poulton in the Fylde. Our worthy friend Joseph 
Wood had the first meeting of our Society that was ever 
held in this part. It is so thinly inhabited that the Friends 
wondered at his concern to request a meeting ; but one was 
appointed for him at an inn, I think a solitary house; a good 
many poor people came, and it was a most remarkable time. 
J. W. said afterwards he believed there would be a meeting 



210 VISIT TO LANCASHIRE. [1830. 

of Friends in that neighborhood, but perhaps not in his time. 
It has now been settled about eighteen months. 

This journey occupied them about two weeks, and on 
returning home John Yeardley makes the following 
animating remark: — 

The retrospect of this journey in connexion with that of 
Wales afforded a sweet feeling of peace. We were often low 
and discouraged, but help was mercifully extended in the 
time of need. I often wish I had more faith to go forth in 
entire reliance on the Divine Arm of power, for truly in the 
Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength. 

On the conclusion of this engagement followed a 
month of quiet but industrious occupation at home. 

12 mo. 25. — A month has been spent in the quiet, in 
reading, writing, and many other things in course. Leisure 
being afforded, I have spent a good deal of time in reading 
diligently and attentively the Holy Scriptures, I trust to some 
profit. 

After this seasonable pause, John and Martha Yeard- 
ley were much occupied with a projected change in their 
place of residence, which issued in their removal, in the 
spring of 1831, to Scarborough. The motive which 
induced them to make choice of this place, and the 
feelings under which the change was accomplished, are 
fully unfolded in the Diary. 

We have for some time been on the look-out for a change 
in our residence. Inclination would have led us to remain 
in our own Monthly Meeting, but a strong impression that 
it might be right for us to remove for some time to Scar- 
borough, has remained .with us ever since we visited that 
place in the Seventh Month, and has always stood in the way 
of our fixing elsewhere, although very often have we tried to 



iET. 45.] REMOVAL TO SCARBOROUGH. 211 

put it from us. We were so desirous to settle at C. [near 
Pontefract], that only five pounds a year in the rent saved us 
from taking the step. It was my prayer at the time, and 
always has been, that we might be rightly directed, and I had 
a hope that if it was not right for us to go to C. something 
might turn up to prevent it. And since we could not agree 
for the house which was offered us in that place, we concluded 
to go for a short time to Scarborough, and try the fleece 
there, under the belief that we should then be enabled rightly 
to determine. This I hope has been the case, for we had not 
been many days, I may say hours, in the town, before we were 
fully convinced it was the place for us to settle in. 

Having made trial of Scarborough, they returned to 
Burton to arrange for their removal, which took place 
on the 7th of the Fifth Month. 

We have now seen John Yeardley for many years in 
the devoted exercise of his calling of a gospel minister. 
It is instructive to follow him, as we are able to do soon 
after his removal to Scarborough, into his chamber, and 
see how, when alone with the gracious Giver, he was 
wont to regard the precious gift ; how he lamented that 
he had not used the talent more dihgently ; and how his 
mind was enlarged to see the grace and power which 
the Lord is ready to bestow on those who seek and 
trust him with their whole heart. 

6 mo. 8. — The important duty of a gospel minister has this 
day been brought closely under my consideration. It is most 
assuredly the imperious duty of those who are called to feed 
the flock, to labor diligently for the good of others. With 
respect to myself, I feel greatly ashamed ; and it has occurred 
to me that should I be cast on a bed of sickness, or otherwise 
be deprived of an opportunity of exercising this gift, it would 
be an a\N^ul consideration, and cause of deep regret, that I 
had not better improved the time. The hardness of heart 



212 DIAKY. [1831. 

in others, as well as in one's self, is difficult to penetrate; 
nothing but the power of divine grace can reach it, and this 
requires not only waiting for, but also -laboring to overcome 
the wandering and unsettled thoughts to which the poor 
mind is subject. Merciful Father, give me more confidence 
in the gift which thou hast bestowed on me, and favor me 
with a greater portion of strength to minister thy word faith- 
fully. " Who then is that faithful and wise steward whom 
his Lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them 
their portion of meat in due season ? Blessed is that servant 
whom his Lord when he cometh shall find so doing." — (Luke 
xii. 42, 43.) 

Tenderly mindful of the religious wants of those 
whom they had lately left, so early as the Seventh 
Month John and Martha Yeardley revisited the several 
congregations in Pontefract Monthly Meeting. They 
were both humbled and comforted in the course of this 
visit. 

"We were, says J. Y., united in sympathy to many dear 
friends within the circle from whence we have removed, and 
I was strengthened to labor according to the ability received 
from day to day. 

Since this little journey, he continues, we have been pretty 
much at home attending the meetings in course in the neigh- 
borhood. We are comfortably settled in our new abode, 
which feels to us really a home as to the outward in every 
respect ; and in a religious sense we entirely believe it is our 
right allotment for the present. 

In this new halting-place of his earthly pilgrimage, 
John Yeardley experienced an increase of freedom of 
spirit, and of faith and joy in his Saviour. 

10 mo. 7. — For a few days past I have felt my mind raised 
above the earth and fixed on heavenly things. I desire that 



^T. 45.] DIAEY. 213 

the blessed Saviour may more and more be the medium through 
which I may view every object as worthy [or unworthy] the 
pursuit of a devoted Christian. I humbly trust this quietude 
of mind is in answer to prayer ; for I have long supplicated 
for a renewal of faith, and that a little spiritual strength might 
be given me to rise above the slavish fear of man. My heart 
was almost sick with doubting; but on Fourth-day last a 
bright hope livingly sprang in my soul that I should yet be 
favored to attain to greater liberty in the exercise of my gift 
in the ministry, if I were faithful in accepting the portion of 
strength which is offered. Grant that this may be the case, 
dearest Saviour ! 

10 mo. 23. — My heart is filled with wonder, love and praise, 
in contemplating the goodness of Almighty God to his poor, 
unworthy creatures. When we have done all that is required 
of us, we are unprofitable servants ; but how often we come 
short of doing this. And yet so gracious, so good, and so just 
is our Divine Master, that he suffers not the least act of obedi- 
ence to lose its reward, but is continually encouraging and 
stimulating us to greater devotedness of heart. 

The persuasion which he and Martha Yeardley enter- 
tained of the need there was in the Society for increased 
means of scriptural instruction, led them, soon after they 
removed to Scarborough, to propose the establishment 
ol a Bible class. The plan was for questions on the 
Scriptures to be given in anonymously in writing by 
the members, and answers to be returned in the same 
way at the next meeting. The scheme was at that 
time almost, if not quite, a novelty in the Society, but 
it was accepted with pleasure and confidence by the 
Friends of Scarborough, and the meetings were main- 
tained for many years. There is an intermission in 
J. Y.'s diary at this period, but he makes allusion to the 
class soon after its establishment in a letter to his sisters 
S. and E. S. 



214 BIBLE CLASS. [1832. 

Chapel House, 6 mo. 30, 1832. 

Bj way of a relaxation from haymaking this charming morn- 
ing, I have been again perusing your affectionate notes, which 
you were so kind and thoughtful as to forward us by our dear 
brother and family. I felt the deprivation exceedingly of not 
attending the last Yearly Meeting, but quite think it may 
have been all for the best. 

But I will proceed at once to the real object of my now 
addressing you, which is to say we cannot be satisfied without 
your paying us a visit this summer. We think we have much 
to invite you to. I think you would feel some interest in our 
Bible class : it becomes increasingly instructive and agreeable 
to all engaged in it. I so highly approve of this mode of 
Scripture instruction, that I think the time is not far distant 
when they will become more general. We meet once every 
two weeks when nothing intervenes to prevent. 

The autumn of this year was taken up with a series 
of public meetings, mostly in the East Riding, in the 
greater part of which J. and M. Y. had the company 
of Isabel Casson of Hull. 

In the Eleventh Month, at the same time that they 
returned the minute which had been granted them, for 
this service, they laid before their friends the prospect 
of more extensive travel in the work of the Gospel than 
any they had undertaken before. The time was come 
for John Yeardley to pay that debt of Christian love to 
the benighted inhabitants of Greece which he had felt 
to press for years upon his mind; and at the same time 
he and Martha Yeardley believed it to be required of 
them to revisit some of the places of their former ser- 
vice, and to take up their abode for a while with compa- 
nies of persons whom they should find like-minded with 
themselves ; and also to perform the unaccomplished 
duty of visiting the Piedmontese valleys. Considering 



^T. 46.] PROSPECT OF A JOURNEY TO GREECE. 215 

the extent of country over whicli they travelled, the 
varied nature of their labors, and the large number of 
serious-minded and sympathizing persons with whom 
they were brought into relation, this journey may per- 
haps be regarded as the most active and fruitful period 
of their lives. We are able, as we have so often been 
before, to read their impressions of duty, and their feel- 
ings, their hopes, doubts, and aspirations, in J. Y.'s sim- 
ple and faithful Diary. 

11 mo. 7. — Yesterday was our Monthly Meeting at Picker- 
ing, and to me a very memorable one. We stated to our 
friends the prospect of a visit to some of the Grecian Islands 
and the Morea, the Protestant valleys of Piedmont, and some 
parts of Germany, Switzerland, and France. It is about five 
years since I first received the impression that it would be 
my religious duty to stand resigned to a service of the above 
kind. For the last nine months it has not been absent from 
my thoughts for many hours together. It has cost me not a 
little to come at resignation ; but my Heavenly Father has 
been very gracious, and has brought me into a willingness 
to do his will. If I know my own heart I have one pre- 
vailing desire, and that is to devote the remainder of my 
days to his service; and my prayers are very fervent that 
he may be pleased to give me faith, patience, and perse- 
verance to do and to suffer all that his w^isdom may permit 
to befal me. I am often ready to covenant with him to go 
where he may be pleased to send, even to the ends of the 
world, if he will strengthen me with his strength, enlighten 
me with his light, guide me by his counsel, and prepare me 
for glory. " K thy presence go not with me, carry us not up 
hence." 

They left Scarborough in the Second Month, and spent 
the time which intervened before the Yearly Meeting in 
social visits in London and the neighborhocd, in pre- 



216 PREPAKATIOXS FOR THE JOURNEY. [1833. 

paring for the journey and studying the modern Greek 
lano:ua":e. 

Nothing, says J. Y., could exceed the interest which our 
friends take in doing all in tlieir power to forward our 
views with respect to the important mission before us. — 
(3 mo. 4.) 

A chief desideratum had been to find a Greek who 
should accompany them as guide into his native coun- 
try. "Ever since," says ]\[. Y., in a letter of the 
Twelfth Month, 1832, "we have resigned ourselves to 
this arduous mission, my dear husband has frequently 
said, ' If we are to go into Greece, how I wish we might 
find some companion for the journey, some Greek to 
conduct us into his country, to us altogether strange 
and unknown!'" A letter from Stephen Grellet to 
William Allen, which was sent down to J", and !M. 
Yeardley, was the opportune means of supplying this 
want. It spoke of a Greek girl then at the school at 
Locle, named Argyri Climi, who was exceedingly de- 
sirous of returning to Greece, and whose simple and 
teachable character recommended her at once to their 
attention. "When," continues M. Y., "we came to this 
part of Stephen Grellet's letter, we were both deeply 
moved, believing that thus the way might be prepared 
before us." 

They communicated their thoughts on this interesting 
subject to M. A. Calame, proposing when they visited 
Locle to take A. Climi as their companion into Greece. 
During their sojourn in London they received a letter 
from A. Chmi, WTitten in French, in which that amiable 
young person signified the pleasure and gratitude with 
which she accepted their proposal. 



^T. 47.] ARGYRI CLTMI. 217 

Locle, 29th of April, 1833. 
Excuse the liberty which I take of writing to testify my 
great gratitude for your kind intention to take me with 
you and bring me back to my country. How could I have 
ventured to hope that I should have the happiness of being 
with such kind and beloved friends. I cannot express the 
joy I felt when Mademoiselle Calame made your proposal 
known to me. How great is the mercy of God ! How often 
might he have turned away his face from me and cast me off ; 
but instead of forsaking me he has looked upon me in mercy, 
and shown me that he wills not that sinners should perish, 
but that they should have eternal life. Was it not he who 
saved me from the hands of the Turks, and brought me to 
Switzerland, and placed me with charitable protectors, who 
are never weary of doing me good ? And now he has crowned 
it all, by giving you to me as guides and protectors in 
my long journey, and that I may settle again in my own 
country. 

Your grateful 

Argyri Climi.* 

The meeting in London at which their prospect of 
foreign travel was ratified, was a time of spiritual 
favor. With such credentials, and with a sense of the 
divine commission and guidance, clear and unmistakable, 
like that which John Yeardley enjoyed, many may be 
ready to exclaim,Who would not go forth on an errand 
like this to the ends of the earth ! Such may be 
reminded, for their consolation, that if the will is laid 
as an unbroken offering at the foot of the cross ; if all 
their powers are consecrated to the Lord, and his Spirit 
is suffered to penetrate and transform every part of 
their being ; though a field of labor such as that which 

* This young person, under the name of Amanda, is the subject of 
No. 7 of a series of small tracts published by John Yeardley in the 
latter years of his life. 

15 



218 MEETING OF MINISTERS AND ELDERS. [1833. 

was appointed to John and Martha Yeardley may not 
be appointed to them, they will, in an equal degree, 
inherit the blessing of doing their Lord's will, and may 
rest in the promise, " They that wait upon Him shall 
not want any good thing." 

5 mo. 21. — Yearly Meeting of Ministers and Elders. 
Third-day morning. Our visit to the Grecian Islands, &c. 
claimed the attention of the meeting. It was a very precious 
time ; a sweet solemnity prevailed ; several Friends said 
afterwards, they thought tbey had never known quite so full 
an expression of unity and encouragement on any former 
occasion. What a favor it is to have the sympathy and 
concurrence of the churcli in such important concerns ! My 
heart's desire and prayers are that we may be preserved 
humble and watchful, relying for help and strength on 
nothing short of our Divine Master, the holy Head of his 
own church. Whatever may befal us on our intended 
journey, I wish once more to record my firm conviction that 
it is the Lord's requiring, and come life, come death, I desire 
that my heart and soul may be given up fully to follow Him 
who laid down his own precious life for my sake, — a poor 
unworthy sinner. 



CHAPTER XI. 

THE THIRD CONTINENTAL JOURNEY, OR THE JOURNEY TO 

GrREECE. 

1833-4. 

PART I. THE JOURNEY TO ANCONA. 

John and Martha Yeardley left London on the 
21st of the Sixth Month, 1833. 

TraveUing through France they found in the places 
where they halted more of simplicity and Christian 
life than they had expected. In Paris, especially, they 
were quickly brought into contact with a number of 
pious persons to whom their society and their doctrine 
were welcome, and they visited many benevolent insti- 
tutions conducted on broad Christian principles. This 
was in the early part of Louis Philippe's reign, and 
under the administration of Guizot. In reading their 
account of these institutions, we are painfully reminded 
how much the rising tide of religious liberty has been 
checked and driven back by the hands of priestcraft and 
arbitrary power. 

Here, and elsewhere during their journey, they wrote 
letters to members of the Foreign Committee of the 
Meeting for Sufferings, descriptive of their religious 
labors, from which, after their return, a selection was 
printed for the use of Friends. Besides these letters, 
John Yeardley kept his usual Diary, which often enables 
us to add to the narrative, traits of character and reflec- 
tions not to be found in their joint epistles. 

(219) 



220 PAEis. [1833. 

Amongst the first persons upon whom they called 
in Paris, were the Protestant bookseller Risler, and 
Pastor Grandpierre: the former they found to be 
devoted heart and soul to the diffusion of evangelical 
religion ; the latter they had known on their former 
journey, and he received them as his Christian friends. 
He introduced them to Mademoiselle Chabot, a lady who 
spent her time in translating religious and useful books 
into French, and had a class of children in the First-day 
school. Respecting this lady, they say : — 

Our introduction to this precious character was much to 
our comfort. We rejoiced together in contemplating the 
wonderful work which the Lord has in mercy begun, and is 
carrying on in this great city. On First-day afternoons she 
attends a school, to which the children of the rich go, as well 
as the poor, to be instructed in the Scriptures. The young 
persons in her class learn texts, and are questioned to see if 
they thoroughly understand the subject. On our asking 
whether the children answered the questions from what they 
had learnt by heart, she replied, " No ; it would be of no use, 
you know, for the dear children to repeat merely by rote ; 
we want the great truths of the gospel to sink into their 
hearts." 

After this visit, which refreshed our spirits a little, we 
called on Madame D'Aublay, sister-in-law to Brissot, who 
was executed in the time of Kobespierre. She is a Eoman 
Catholic, and thinks the groundwork of true religion to be 
in their church, but that their customs and the mass are 
nothing worth. "We left her some tracts, and amongst them 
one of Judge Hale's, which struck her so forcibly on reading 
it, that she followed us to our hotel, to say how much it was 
suited to her state of mind. 

6 mo. 30. — After our little meeting this morning with the 
few friends resident here, and some others, we went to the 
Protestant Chapel, in the Eue Taitbout, to hear the children 
examined in the Scriptures. Many of the parents were 



js^r. 47.] PARIS. 221 

present. The class which we attended was conducted by 
Mademoiselle Chabot. The subject was the crucifixion of 
our Saviour, the 27th chapter of Matthew. The children 
repeated the portion they had learnt, and then Mademoiselle C. 
questioned them in a simple, sweet, and instructive manner, 
calculated to impress the great truths of Christianity on their 
minds. A gentleman examined a class of boys ; and after 
this course of exercise was finished, De Pressense gave them 
a lecture from the Old Testament. The subject was the 
healing of Naaman, and the manner of proceeding was sim- 
ple ; the child called upon stood up and answered pretty much 
as they do at Ackworth ; he repeated a few verses directly 
bearing on the subject, and the application which was made 
was admirable. We were really edified in being present. 
How much this kind of instruction is wanted for many of 
our poor children in England ! How delightful it is to see 
a large room filled with Eoman Catholic children and parents, 
all receiving Christian instruction together ! The Eoman 
Catholics no longer object to send their children to Pro- 
testants, because they know they will be well instructed. The 
chapel is a beautiful room, with a circular gallery supported 
on pillars, and a dome top ; and it is the identical place where, 
only two years ago, the Saint Simonians held forth their 
doctrines : — 

Oh reformation rare, 

The den of modern infidels is become a house of prayer ! 

7 mo. 2. — We had a long walk to the Eue St. Maur, to 
meet by appointment our kind friend De Pressense to visit 
the schools for mutual instruction. At this season of the 
year the children are more busy with their parents than 
usual ; but in winter there are 200 boys, 200 girls, and 200 
children in the infant school, with an evening school for 
adults. Scripture extracts are made use of, and also the 
Scriptures themselves. We were struck with the quiet and 
good order of all these schools. I have seen very few in 
England where the same stillness is observable. With the 
exception of some three or four, all the children are Eoman 



222 PARIS. [1833. 

Catholics ; and on First-days, particularly in winter, the room 
is filled with Roman Catholic men and women, mostly parents 
of the children, who come to hear them examined in the 
Scriptures and to receive instruction themselves. Our con- 
ductor showed us the boys' gardens. On the walls were 
grapes hanging in large bunches, belonging to the master. 
The boys are so far from stealing them, that if they find any 
on the ground, they take them to him. Of the children who 
attend at the school, forty -six are provided with bed, board, 
and clothing, at a neighboring establishment. 

One of the most interesting men with whom J. and 
M. Y. became acquainted was Pastor Audebez. 

He was, say they, formerly minister at Bordeaux, but 
received a strong impression that it was his religious duty to 
come to Paris. Soon after he left Bordeaux, a great awaken- 
ing took place in that neighborhood under the ministry of 
his successor, while with himself at Paris all seemed darkness 
and discouragement. This induced him to think he had done 
wrong in removing, and he was much distressed ; but as he 
persevered in doing what presented as his dut}^, his way for 
usefulness in this great city opened in a remarkable manner. 
He first opened the chapel in the Taitbout, and then one in 
the Faubourg du Temple, where his labors have been crowned 
with success. He told us with great simplicity that he never 
premeditated or wrote his sermons, but after reading a portion 
of Scripture proceeded to speak from what he felt to impress 
his mind at the time. He said some of the ministers consid- 
ered their discourse before delivering it, and he believed their 
mode of preaching was also blessed. Being accustomed to 
arrange their thoughts in methodical order, perhaps such might 
not perform so well in any other way, and the people were 
used to it ; but he preferred speaking from a more spontaneous 
spring of thought, though not so well arranged as to theo- 
logical order. 

We felt much inclined to hear him for ourselves, and 
attended in the Rue St. Maur on First-day evening; and 



iET. 47.] PAEis. 223 

we have this testimony to bear, — that we heard the gospel 
preached to the poor. He first read the 25th Psalm, and then 
part of the Epistle to the Eomans, which formed the basis of 
his exhortation. It reminded me of [what I have read of] 
the preaching of the early Christians. My very heart went with 
his impressive exhortation to believe in the Lord Jesus as the 
only means of salvation, and of the necessity of bringing 
forth fruits unto holiness. 

7 mo. 5. — Pastor Grandpierre came to pay us a visit with 
four of his missionary students. We had a precious religious 
opportunity with them. The Pastor expressed his belief 
that the power and presence of the Saviour had been evidently 
felt among us. The young men were much tendered ; one 
of them was a grandson of the late Pastor Oberlin, and had 
been sensibly affected by what Stephen Grellet had said in a 
meeting at his father's place of worship in the Ban de la 
Eoche. Three of the young men who were in the institution 
at our last visit to Paris are now in Africa. We admire 
the principle on which this establishment is conducted; the 
inmates are not sent out unless they believe it to be their 
duty to go ; if this be not the case at the expiration of their 
term, they return home. 

On the 7th John Yeardley, accompanied by Joseph 
Grellet, brother of Stephen Grellet, visited the Sabbath- 
school in the Eue St. Maur. Martha Yeardley was 
indisposed and unable to leave the house. 

When the classes had finished, says J. Y., De Pressense 
proposed to give a lecture on a subject from the Old Testa- 
ment, and bestowed great pains to make it clear to the infant 
capacities of the children. I had intimated to my worthy 
friend a desire for liberty to express what might arise in my 
mind when he had done, which was most readily granted, 
and after I had spoken to the children, there seemed great 
liberty in addressing the teachers, parents and young persons 
present. There was much seriousness the whole time and a 
precious sense of divine love was over us. Our kind friend, 



224 PARIS. [1833. 

J. Grellet, interpreted for me in an impressive and clear 
manner. 

The name of Mark Wilks has been for many years 
identified with the cause of evangelical religion in Paris. 
John Yeardley had an interview with him, and makes 
an interesting note in his Diary regarding his opinions 
on the state of religious parties at this period. 

7 mo, 9. — This morning I had an interview with Mark 
Wilks. He received me very cordially, and, as I expected, I 
found him full of religious intelligence ; he is just returned 
from a tour in Switzerland, and speaks encouragingly of the 
state of the Christian church in general. He has resided in 
Paris fifteen years, and of course seen many changes. He 
assured me that the arm of infidelity is weakening ; nothing 
like the same exertion is made to spread the vile doctrine. 
The fact is, in some degree, the people are too indifferent to 
trouble themselves about it, and would not spend a sou for 
its promotion ; on the other hand, zealous Christians are doing 
all in their power to promote the spread of gospel truth. 

On the 15th John S. MoUet, who had arrived in 
Paris after them, accompanied J. and M. Y. to Madame 
d'Aublay's. 

We met, they say, several of her relations who professed to 
be Catholics, but were rather of the philosophical school. 
They were interested in the conversation, though nothing of 
a religious nature occurred. Madame d'Aublay has distri- 
buted many of our books and tracts. The next day she took 
us to see more of her friends, much of the same character. 
We have a hope that our drawing some of these to the really 
Christian characters may do good, since each class expressed 
surprise to hear us speak to them of the other. It will be no 
small satisfaction if any of our Society here should be like 
the mortar to bind parties together, and weaken prejudice, 
that the one true knowledge may increase. 



JKT. 47.] DEATH OF BACHEL TVATERHOUSE. 225 

2lst. — Attended the chapel at the Taithout this morning. 
Heard a discourse by Pastor Grandpierre ; he preaches the 
gospel in its purity, with much of the right unction. We did 
not feel out of our place in being present, and I trust it may 
have its use both on ourselves and others. This kind of 
Christian liberty seems to open our way among the people. 
In the evening we had quite a large meeting in our room ; 
several of the attenders at the Taitbout coming in, together 
with the Friends in Paris. It was, adds John Yeardley, a 
precious tendering time, and I trust strength was given to 
preach the gospel ; the sick and afflicted were not forgotten 
by my M. Y. in supplication. 

By " the sick " in the foregoing passage was probably 
intended Rachel, wife of Dr. Waterhouse of Liverpool, 
and daughter of Da^dd and Abigail Dockray. This 
young Friend, who was iU in the neighborhood of Paris, 
was about to be removed to England, but at the very 
time when the carriage was at the door she was struck 
with paralysis. This happened two days before the 
meeting just described, and J. and M. Y. had hastened 
to offer their sympathy and aid to her afflicted husband 
and mother. They deferred their departure from Paris 
in order to remain with the family, and they both took 
turns in assisting to watch, by the bed-side of the suf- 
ferer. She sur\ived only a few days, and expired, in 
the hope and peace of the gospel, the day after they 
quitted the city. 

We may conclude the narrative of this interesting 
visit to Paris with a short reflection by Martha 
Yeardlev. 

I have been renewedly confirmed since being in Paris that 
our first religious awakening proceeds from the immediate 
influence of the Spirit on the heart of man, and this is the 
doctrine preached and maintained by the writings of the 



226 NANCY. [1833. 

truly devoted Christians in this place, who are brought to 
profess living faith in our Lord Jesus Christ as the Alpha and 
Omega, the Beginning and the End. 

They found the country on the road to Nancy very 
agreeable. 

29th, evening, — The white houses among the trees, and 
the vines on the hill-sides, form a picturesque landscape. The 
reapers were busy in the harvest fields ; and the ground that 
is cleared of its burdens gives proof of the diligence of the 
French farmer ; the plougher, if not the sower, literally over- 
takes the reaper. In the forepart of the route we saw much 
wood and water, hill and dale, with cattle feeding in the 
peaceful pastures, which is a lovely sight. As we advanced 
towards Chalons, it became less interesting, more flat, with 
fewer trees and meadows. Everywhere the harvest more 
forward than in England, but the crops much more light and 
thin. 

They entered Nancy under a feeling of gloom, and it 
was some time before they could find relief to their 
minds ; but by patiently pursuing the paths of inter- 
course which opened before them, they were enabled to 
deposit with some serious individuals their accustomed 
testimony to the simple spiritual nature of the gospel. 
In allusion to this trial of their patience John Yeardley 
remarks : — 

I cannot, I dare not, complain, when I think of the diffi- 
culties some of our Friends had to encounter who travelled 
on the Continent years ago, when darkness prevailed to a 
much greater extent. The want of the language, &c., which 
some of them experienced, must have been very trying. It 
is to me an unspeakable comfort to be able to understand the 
language of the country where we travel. 

Travelling by the Diligence being too rapid for 
Martha Yeardley 's state of health, they hired a carriage 



^T. 47.] PHALSBOUEG. 227 

and horses to take them to Strasburg, and found this 
mode of traveUing less expensive, as well as much less 
fatiguing, than the public conveyance. 

8 mo. 5. — Left I^ancy at 6 o'clock in the morning, and had 
a delightful journey. I feel particu.larly peaceful in spirit, 
and a degree of resignation pervades my heart to be given 
fully up to do the will of my Heavenly Father. 

Our mode of travelling afforded us an opportunity of calling 
at Phalsbourg, where we found a handful of Protestants, 
about twenty -six families, mostly German settlers. On 
inquiring for the minister, we found he was engaged with his 
class at the college. His wife appeared surprised at seeing 
such strangers, thinking from our dress and our speaking 
French, we were no doubt Eoman Catholics. We soon per- 
ceived the family were Germans, and I then addressed them 
in their native tongue, which immediately opened the way to 
their hearts. Nothing would satisfy the good woman but 
that we must call at the college to see her husband. He was 
embarrassed on being so suddenly called out of the class, and 
appeared a little fearful; but when he understood who we 
were, and our mission, he became almost overjoyed to see us. 
There has been a little awakening in this place, and a desire 
to obtain the Scriptures. One of them said, "I have been 
accustomed to smoke tobacco, but have now left it off, and I 
will put the money into the box to save for a Bible." Another 
said, "I have been accustomed to take snuff, but I will now 
save the money for a Bible." And another said, '' I have 
drunk more wine than I need ; I will take less, and subscribe 
for a Bible." This little account in such a dark place was 
quite cheering; for they are surrounded and oppressed by 
the Koman Catholics, in whose presence they are afraid to 
speak. 

On entering Alsace, the view of the country was enchant- 
ing. We dined at Sarrebourg, which appeared at a distance 
like a town in the midst of a wood. 

At Strasburg they were received in an ingenuous 



228 STRASBURG. [1833. 

manner by some enlightened Roman Catholics, who did 
all in their power to forward their object ; but it was 
not until they fell in with the Protestant Professor 
Cuvier, that they found the proper channel for the work 
of the gospel. In few places did they find brighter 
tokens of inward spiritual religion. 

8 mo, 6. — Called on Professor Cuvier and delivered the 
letter which Mark Wilks had kindly given us. We found 
the professor an humble-minded Christian, kind and affec- 
tionate. He conducted us to Pastor Majors, who was bom 
in Prussia, and speaks German and French well. We soon 
became united to him in spirit. He is one of the inward 
school, and a diligent laborer in the Lord's vineyard. He 
has been here about three months as pastor of a little handful 
of Christians. He is fully sensible of the necessity of a right 
preparation of heart before acceptable worship can be per- 
formed. He said when the people came to their place of 
worship they were full of the world, and the word preached 
did not profit, because it did not sink into their hearts. I 
believe he fully comprehends the nature of true silence ; and 
he is acquainted with many interior persons whom we wish 
to see in Switzerland, &c. This dear man was nine months 
in Corfu, preparing to be a missionary there; but he was 
taken ill, and suffered much in body and mind. The way in 
which he mentioned the wonderful dealings of the Lord with 
him was to me very instructive. He told me he had not been 
sufficiently careful to seek divine counsel before he undertook 
the mission ; and it had pleased the Almighty to bring him 
into the deeps, and instruct him in the school of affliction; 
and he can now most fully acknowledge there is no safety but 
under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. He and a few others 
have united for the purpose of printing and circulating small 
tracts, purely Scripture extracts. They are now engaged in 
forming a selection for every day in the year, from the Old 
and New Testament. I accord much with their work; it is 
just what I have thought of for a long time. 



^T. 47.] STBASBURG. 229 

Pastor Majors conducted us to Professor Ehrmann, a 
worthy Christian, simple-hearted and spiritually-minded. His 
two daughters are precious young women ; the older of them 
recollected to have seen us at Kornthal, in 1827. She knew 
us instantly, and appeared overcome with joy and surprise, 
though we could not recollect her. It is no wonder we 
should have felt so much attraction to this place, though on 
entering the town I was, as usual, extremely discouraged, and 
I feel unworthy to be employed in the least service of my holy 
Eedeemer. 

On the 7th they dined at the La Combes, a Cathohc 
family, who took them to see the House of Correction, 
where John Yeardley interrogated the boys in the 
prison school, and afterwards addressed them. In the 
evening they were present at Pastor Majors' Bible- 
class. 

It is composed, says J. Y., of ten young men, who meet 
once a week at his lodging, and he instructs them in the Scrip- 
tures. I rejoiced to meet with them. Before the conclusion 
we had a religious opportunity, in which I was strengthened 
to express what was on my mind. The pastor offered a prayer 
in which our hearts truly united. The Saviour's love was 
very precious to our souls, and I trust we were edified to- 
gether in the Lord. 

8^^. — The Pastor Majors called for us to pay a few visits. 
He is so spiritual and interior in his walk with God that it 
does me good to be in his company. Passing along the street, 
he said, We will just speak to a man who has been in England ; 
he will be pleased to see you. He was alone in his meal and 
flour shop, which is apart from the house. He received us 
heartily ; and on our coming away he pressed us to go up 
and speak to his daughters. After hesitating a few moments 
we went to the room and to our surprise found a little com- 
pany of young females met to work for the missionaries, and 
to read. After sitting a while with them, one of the girls in 



230 STRASBUEG. [1833. 

much simplicity handed the Bible to our friend, and he read 
a chapter in the First Epistle of Peter, which was followed by 
a Friends' meeting with these dear young persons. I felt 
great openness in addressing them, and thankfulness filled my 
heart to the Father of mercies for having given us this casual 
opportunity of preaching the gospel. 

In the evening we went to meeting with Pastor M.'s flock. 
He has taken the first floor of a good house, and appropriates 
three rooms opening one into another for a meeting-house, 
placing his pulpit, which is on wheels, in the doorway, so 
that when the meeting hour is over he can put the pulpit 
aside and make the rooms his dwelling. The rooms are fitted 
with long benches; the men and women sit separate and 
enter by different doors. The worship is conducted with 
much solemnity ; they have for the present discontinued 
singing. They sat in silence some time at the commence- 
ment, when Majors offered a short prayer, and then read and 
expounded a small portion of Scripture. When he had 
finished he introduced "us as English friends. He had told 
me previously that if I felt anything to say, I had only to 
intimate it to him. This liberty was acceptable to me, for I 
had felt much exercise of mind for the people ; and after we 
had rested some time in silence, I was strengthened to speak 
with great freedom, and the power of the Most High was 
over us. Many thirsty souls were present, who, I believe, 
know the value of true silence. The two rooms for the 
women were crowded, and the stillness which pervaded was 
remarkable. A military man addressed me after the meet- 
ing, in English, expressing his great satisfaction and joy in 
being present ; he is a regular attendant at this place of wor- 
ship. The pastor said he was comforted and thankful that 
the Spirit of the Lord had been with us, and divided his word 
to the state of the people. 

On the 9th, Professor KraflPt and Pastor Majors con- 
ducted them to the Agricultural School for destitute 
children at Neuhoff, four miles from the city. This 



^T. 47.] STKASBURG. 231 

well-known institution was founded by a man who had 
been taken as a child out of the streets, and whose wife 
had been brought up in an orphan-house. John Yeard- 
ley says : — 

The arrangement of the farm -yard, &c., and the cropping 
of the land are pretty much the same as at Beuggen, near 
Basle, and what is now practised at Lindfield ; and it is just 
what we want Eawden to be — at least what I should like to 
see it. Before leaving the premises, we had the children as- 
sembled in the schoolroom, and held a meeting with them, 
with which we were well satisfied. There is a sweet spirit of 
inward piety in the master and mistress. 

On First-day, the 11th, they attended Pastor Majors' 
meeting in the morning, and in the afternoon appointed 
a meeting of their own in the same place, at which some 
hundreds were present. 

It was a precious tendering season ; much openness was felt 
in preaching the word, and I trust many hearts were reached 
by the power of the Holy Spirit. At 7 o'clock we held our 
usual meetiag in the room at the inn, to which came many 
of our friends ; and I trust we were again favored with the 
presence of the Divine Master. To conclude the evening, we 
went to Professor Ehrmann's, where we partook of tea, fruit, 
wine, &c. It felt to us a true feast of love. 

This has been a day of much exercise ; but best help has 
been near in the time of need, and I feel sweet peace. There 
is a great awakening in this place ; thirty of the young wo- 
men are preciously visited. In accompanying them home, 
some of them expressed to me that it had been a blessed and 
happy day, they hoped never to be forgotten. These dear 
lambs are near to us in gospel love, and I am glad they have 
such a minister in Pastor M. : he stands quite alone, not 
being connected with any other Society. 

In reading of days spent like that which has just 



232 BAN DE LA ROCHE. [18-33. 

been described, we see in a striking manner what was 
the nature of that work of the ministry for which John 
Yeardley was prepared at Barnsley and Bentham by so 
many deep baptisms and sharp trials of his faith and 
obedience. The stage on which he was called to act was 
not the most public ; the part which he had to perform 
was unobtrusive; but when the value of strengthening 
the weak, comforting the afflicted, and, above all, skil- 
fully dividing the word of truth in the anointed ministry 
of the gospel, comes rightly to be estimated, it cannot 
be said but that the fruit was in some sort commensu- 
rate with the power of the call and the extent of the 
preparation. 

The next day and the succeeding were occupied by 
John and Martha Yeardley in an excursion to the Ban 
de la Eoche, of which the former gives the following 
account in his Diary. 

12th. — In company with Majors, we set ofif at 6 o'clock 
to the Ban de la Roche. We had a most delightful drive 
by the side of the river, flowing along the fertile meadows: 
the hills on each side variegated with trees of almost every 
color, and occasional vineyards added to the richness of the 
scene. After travelling twelve leagues, we arrived at Foudai, 
where we met with an affectionate and hearty welcome from 
the whole family of the Legrands. The two families live 
together in one house, with their lovely children. We took 
tea with them, and then proceeded up Steinthal to Waldbach, 
to the house of the late pious Oberlin. Pastor Rancher's 
wife and daughter were out when we arrived ; but we spent 
a little time with the dear old Louise, who is lively in spirit, 
and though she could not speak much, it was refreshing to 
us to be near her. The pastor's wife and daughter came 
home in the evening, and received us with open arms. We 
spent the night there, and they accompanied us the next 
morning to the Legrands' to breakfast, about a league in 



^T. 47.] ALSACE. * 233 

distance. After we had breakfasted, we requested a chapter 
might be read, and then had a precious meeting with them. 
"We were so knit together in spirit, that we could hardly 
separate from one another. They accompanied us, on leaving, 
all the way up the hill, when we again took an affectionate 
farewell. 

The conversation of our dear friend Majors has been to me 
truly instructive, and I trust our being thus thrown together 
is in divine wisdom. We have gone very fully into the na- 
ture of our church discipline, and have had much spiritual 
conversation to the refreshment of our souls. 

We arrived at Strasburg about -7 o'clock, and I attended 
the class of his young men, which afforded me once more an 
opportunity to speak to them of the things that belong to 
their eternal peace. 

Their religious service in Strasburg finished with a 
visit to the family of Professor Ehrmann, in which 
Martha Yeardley ministered to the company, and they 
commended one another in solemn supplication to the 
safe keeping of Israel's Shepherd. 

Both the German and French languages are spoken 
in Strasburg. In their religious communications to 
those who spoke German, J. and M. Y. sometimes 
availed themselves of the interpretation of Pastor Ma- 
jors, who they found was never at a loss, and who said, 
" It is no difficulty for me to interpret for you, because 
you say the very things that are in m^ heart." 

From Strasburg they went on to Colmar and 
Miilhausen. The latter place, particularly interested 
them, from the number of persons recently awakened 
there, and they held several meetings in the town. 
John Yeardley says : — 

In the whole district of Alsace there is a great deal of 

spiritual religion among the different professors ; but in some of 

the ministers there is great deadness, or else infidelity. 
16 



234 BASLE. [1833. 

The next halting-place on their route was Basle. 
This city, and the Httle canton of which it is the capital, 
were then in a state of civil war. The great political 
eruption of 1830, by which half Europe had been 
convulsed, continued to agitate Switzerland long after 
it had spent its force elsewhere. On the 3rd of the 
month, a little more than two weeks before the date at 
which we are arrived, a large body of the citizens, under 
arms, went out to reduce the peasants to subjection : 
the latter gave them battle amongst the hills and en- 
tirely defeated them, killing 200 of their number. The 
ferment was gradually subsiding when J. and M. Y. 
were in the city. 

They found the town pretty quiet, though full of sol- 
diers. A general sentiment seemed to prevail amongst 
serious persons, that the judgments of the Lord were 
upon the country. 

Poor Switzerland, exclaims J. Y., what an awful judgment 
is come upon thee ! Is it to be wondered at ? within the last 
six months they have persecuted and banished twenty min- 
isters from the Canton of Basle, simply because they 
preached the gospel, and the unbelieving inhabitants could 
not bear it. 

They visited the Mission-House, and held a large meet- 
ing there with the students and others ; Pastor Majors, 
who was present, from Strasburg, interpreting for them. 
" It was," says J. Y., " a season long to be remembered." 

From Basle, they took the Diligence direct to Locle, 
where they spent two days with M. A. Calame's large 
and interesting family. They were introduced to Argyri 
Climi, whom they describe as a girl of " pensive character 
and genteel manners." On the 26th they descended the 
slope of the Jura to Neufchatel. 



MT. 47.] NEUFCHATEL. 235 

About 5 o'clock, says John Yeardley, we came injsiglit of 
the snow-capped Alps. I saw them for some time through 
the trees, but the sun shone so bright that I did not for a 
moment imagine they were any other than clouds ; but coming 
out from the wood I soon discovered my mistake ; and a most 
majestic, sublime sight, indeed it is. 

At Neufchatel they took a lodging a little way out 
of the town, by the lake, and remained there a month, 
receiving and making calls and holding meetings for 
worship at the houses of their friends, as Professor 

Petavel's, Chatelain's, and in their own rooms. 

At the close of a day spent in this manner J. Y. 
says : — 

I feel this evening a degree of sweet peace, and a strong 
desire to become more united to my Saviour, who died that 
we might live. When the mind is fixed on eternity, how 
little do all other things appear ! Lord, redeem me from 
the world, and grant me power to live for thee alone ! — 
(9 mo. 1.) 

His observations on another similar occasion mark the 
religious state of the deeply interesting company in this 
place, amongst whom they went about in the liberty of 
the gospel. 

9 mo. 24. — In the afternoon had a long walk with our 
dear friend Petavel's family, quite to the top of the moun- 
tains, from which we had the most delightful view possible. 
In the evening we took tea with them ; and, a few others 
coming in, we had a religious opportunity before parting. 
It is extraordinary how great is the desire to hear the word 
in its simplicity ; they love the simplicity of the gospel, but 
probably are not prepared, as yet, to hold silent meetings 
alone. They all say it is remarkable we should be sent 
among them in this time of war in the land with the message 
of peace. 



236 NEUFCHATEL. [1823. 

The little meeting which had been begun by Auguste 
Borcl had been discontinued in consequence of his 
Temoval into the country. He visited them, and they 
found him alive in the truth and full of affection as 
before. 

Amongst a number of new acquaintances, one of the 
most interesting was a Polish Countess. She lodged 
near them, with her husband and child, and sent to 
desire the liberty of calling on them. Martha Yeardley 
had often longed to become acquainted with her ; and 
she, as she told them afterwards, had felt so strongly 
inclined towards them when she met them on the 
promenade that she could not rest without seeking their 
acquaintance. 

At the time fixed, say J. and M. Y., the Countess came 
alone, her husband being unwell, and asked a few questions 
respecting our views in travelling. She is a Eoman Catholic 
by profession, but has been brought up in great ignorance 
of her religion, and quite in the gaiety of the world. She 
deeply lamented the state of her unhappy country, to which 
a fatality seemed to attach, and spoke of her own particular 
trials; having lost four of her children. Whilst we were en- 
deavoring to make her sensible of the mercies which are often 
hid under the most painful dispensations, an English mis- 
sionar3^ who had been engaged in preaching to many of the 
Polish refugees in the country, came in with Professor Petavel. 
They became much interested for the Countess, and in reply 
to some of her questions, the missionary explained the truths 
of the gospel in a clear and satisfactory way. We rejoiced 
in the unexpected meeting ; several others came in, and it 
proved a memorable visit. 

When again alone with the Countess she continued her 
history, opening her heart to M. Y. with the greatest con- 
fidence.. In former years, she said, she had been drawn to 
seek the Lord, but for awhile affliction seemed to harden her 



^T. 47.] A POLISH COUNT AND COUNTESS. 237 

heart and slie lost the religious impressions she had received ; 
but now she felt again a desire to become acquainted with her 
Saviour, for she was miserable and felt the need of such a 
refuge. 

22wc?. — In the afternoon the Count and Countess paid us a 
visit. He is a man of strong mind, weary of the disappointing 
pleasures of the world, and happily turned to seek comfort in 
the substantial truths of religion. The Countess was delighted 
to find that we were of the same Society as "William Penn, 
whose name her father much revered. They desired per- 
mission to attend our meeting ; and a little before the hour 
we called on them, and they accompanied us to Professor 
Petavel's, where we had a room quite filled and a good 
meeting. At the conclusion M. Y. made some apology to 
the Countess for the imperfect manner in which the com- 
munication was made ; but she replied, " It comes from the 
heart, and it goes to the heart." After the meeting none 
seemed disposed to move, and the Countess commenced asking 
questions directing to passages of the Scriptures, apparently 
desirous to confirm the practices of the Pomish Church, but 
sincerely seeking to have the conviction of her own heart 
confirmed that they were errors. It is not easy to describe 
the interest which this scene presented. • An accomplished 
Roman Catholic lady proposing questions of the deepest 
moment, and the learned but pious and humble Professor 
Petavel answering them with the Bible in his hand, while a 
roomful of attentive hearers were, we trust, reaping deep 
instruction. 

Argyri joined them on the 27th at Neufchatel* 
and they left that city the same day for Geneva. 

Here they tarried nearly a fortnight, were received 

* She brought an affectionate epistle from M. A. Calame. The 
felicity of style and beauty of penmanship which distinguished the 
letters of this extraordinary woman agreed with the rest of her 
character. We have the epistle in question now before us, exquisitely 
written. It ends with these words : — 

"II nous eut bt'e bien doux de prolonger les moments de la voir 



238 GENEVA. [1833. 

with much affection by their old friends, and had a few 
religious meetings. Martha Yeardley says : — 

We met with several very interesting persons at Geneva, 
and had three religious opportunities with them ; at the last 
meeting the number was much increased, but the place is 
not like Neufchatel. The difierent societies make bonds for 
themselves and for one another, so that love and harmony do 
not sufficiently prevail amongst them. 

Our stay in this place, writes John Yeardley, has been a 
time of distress of mind and perplexity of thought, arising 
probably from the great weight and importance of the journey 
before us, and the anxiety of providing a conveyance through 
a strange and dark country. After much difficulty, we have 
concluded a written contract with an Italian voiturier to take 
us to Ancona. May our Divine Keeper, in his infinite mercy, 
grant us protection and safety, even in the hands of ungodly 
men! 

The journey to Ancona took them seventeen days ; 
they crossed the Alps by the Simplon, and traversed 
Italy through Milan and Bologna. Martha Yeardley 
touches upon a few points of the journey in a letter to 
Elizabeth Dudley. 

Ancona, 11 mo. 4. 

We had much to do before we could meet with a suitable 
conveyance, and at length trusted ourselves with our Italian 
coachman, who could not speak French. For a certain sum 
he was to give us three places in his coach, and provide us 
with food and lodging by the way. The other passenger 

encore, mais la sagesse demande qne tont se fasse avec ordre ; voil^ 
pourquoi notre cli6re enfant vous est confiee plus tot ; que le seigneur 
raccompagne et vous aussi, precieux amis ; nous vous confions tons 
trois d la garde divine, et nous vous assurons encore ici de I'affection 
Chrfetienne qui unit nos ames aux votres en Celui qui est le lieu 
indissoluble. 

**M.A. Calame." 
Locle, 24 du 9 mois, '33. 



'JET. 47.] JOUEXEY THROUGH ITALY. 2o9 

inside was an Englisliman, who spoke very little Frencli and 
no Italian, and another Englishman outside was in the same 
situation. We could not but feel ourselves a very helpless 
company when arriving at the inns, which were quite of an 
inferior class, and little or no French spoken. We did pretty 
well, however, till we got to Milan, where we rested some 
days; and our Englishmen were exchanged for an Italian 
priest who spoke no French, and a Swiss who was a little 
useful to US as far as Bologna ; after this place we travelled 
five days alone. The inns on this side of Milan are much 
worse, and from the detention of our passports in the towns 
we passed through, we were often prevented from reaching 
the place of destination, and obliged to lodge at villages, 
where we suffered much in the way of food and lodging ; yet 
through all we were favored to bear the journey much 
better than I expected. My J. Y. was rather poorly for two 
days, and I was extremely anxious about him ; but the sight 
of the Gulf of Venice seemed to help to restore him. 

At Sinigaglia, a town eighteen miles from this, they told 
us that we should just meet the vessel which was to sail on 
the 80th. Judge then what was our disappointment when, 
on arriving at the inn here, we found that it was gone. 

This disappointment was a severe trial of their 
patience ; but they consoled themselves with reflecting 
that " good in some shape might arise out of the seeming 
evil." 

Ancona, says John Yeardley, is beautifully situated on the 
side of a high hill, in appearance at a distance a perfect model 
of Scarborough. There are in the place a good many Greeks, 
one of whom Argyri recognised as we inquired at his shop the 
way to the Post-office. On returning she made herself known 
to him, and he shows us every attention ; he is a fine looking 
man, with a countenance as strong as brass. We are com- 
fortably lodged, with a delightful view of the harbor, but our 
hearts are in Corfu. 

Our young companion, adds M. Y., is amiable and very 



240 ANCONA. [1833. 

quick, but not of mucli use to us respecting her native tongue, 
which she retains but very imperfectly, and is not at all fond 
of speaking it. 

The houses are high, and many of the streets narrow and 
offensive, for want of cleanliness and from an immense popu- 
lation; such numbers are continually in the streets, that 
there is no quiet or good air in the town. The darkness is 
extreme, and the dissipation apparently very great ; the 
oppression of our spirits at some periods is almost insupport- 
able ; and yet I am at times very sensible of the calming 
influence of divine love, with a sense that, having acted to the 
best of our judgment, we must resign ourselves to wait for the 
return of the steam-packet from England. 

When on arriving here we found there were no letters, and 
that probably they were sent to Corfu, my heart sank within 
me. We have, however, been since cheered by receiving a 
very kind letter from dear Kobert Forster; nothing could 
have been more in season than this token of remembrance. 

Finding no suitable vessel for Corfu, with the assist- 
ance of their Greek friend they hired a lodging, and 
gave their time to the study of Italian and the Modern 
Greek. Religious labor was hardly to be thought of ; 
the government of the town and every public office was 
under the direction of the Roman Catholic priests, of 
whom there were more than 400. However, they were 
enabled to hold improving intercourse with some indi- 
viduals, mostly Greeks ; " for whom," says Martha 
Yeardley, " we felt much interest, and some, I believe, 
became attached to us ; we gave them a few books." 

Before commencing with their visit to the Ionian 
Islands, it will be interesting to glance at the circle 
of Friends whom they had left in England. From 
the letters which have been preserved, we select 
the following extract: the first is from the pen 
of one who may be described as sound in heart and 



^T. 47.] LETTER FROM JOHN ROWNTREE. 241 

understanding, of extensive knowledge and large Chris- 
tian charity. 

Scarborougli, 10 mo. 16, 1833. 

My dear Friends, 
Accept mj grateful acknowledgments, and tlirongli me 
those of all your friends in this neighborhood, for the copies 
which I have received of your interesting journals. It is 
indeed a cause of rejoicing to us that you have been so 
favored in meeting with so many pious persons with whom 
you could hold Christian fellowship, and among whom there 
is strong reason for believing your labors have not been in 
vain. It is to me very gratifying that you feel and exercise 
so much Christian freedom in mingling among persons of 
various denominations, whom, though owing to education 
and to various circumstances, they may differ considerably in 
opinion on subjects of minor importance, yet conscious of 
one common disease — that of sin, and looking for or expe- 
riencing the only remedy — reconciliation with Grod through 
one Saviour, — you can salute as brethren and sisters in the 
truth, and feel your spirits refreshed whilst you enjoy the 
privilege of refreshing theirs ; and like Aquila and Priscilla, 
with Apollos, are made the instruments, I trust, of '' expound- 
ing unto them the way of God more perfectly." My dear 
mother thinks that the persons you meet with must be more 
spiritually-minded than Christians in this country. They 
have, perhaps, from external circumstances, experienced deeper 
baptisms, and have made greater sacrifices, than many amongst 
us have been called upon to make ; and we know that ease 
and outward prosperity have not been favorable to the inte- 
rests of the true Church : but, without doubt, they are exposed 
to similar dangers to those in this land whose minds have 
been awakened to the importance of religious truth. 

After speaking of a journey which he had made with 
Samuel Tuke and Joseph Priestman for re-arranging 
some of the Monthly Meetings in the West Riding, the 
writer continues : — 



242 LETTER FROM ELIZABETH ROWNTREE. [1838. 

On the journey I received intelligence of the decease of 
Hannah Whitaker ; the account produced a strong sensation 
in the minds of Friends generally, who felt much for our dear 
afflicted friend Eobert Whitaker, and for the loss which the 
institution at Ackworth has sustained. I have had a note 
from K. W., written evidently under very desponding feelings ; 
yet he knows where alone consolation is to be sought, and I 
still cherish the hope that his valuable services will not be 
lost to the establishment in which they have been so long 
blessed. 

We intend to meet as a Bible class on Second-day evening : 
our number will be small, but I hope we shall persevere. 
Your house and garden look much as usual ; but I scarcely 
like to look at them, since I cannot go to spend such pleasant 
evenings as I used to do there. However, I believe you are 
in the way of your duty, and I know it would be wrong in 
me to repine at the loss of your company. 

I trust you do not forget our poor little company in your 
approaches to the throne of grace. You are, I believe, the 
subjects of many prayers : that the parties who offer them 
were more worthy ! 

Your affectionate friend, 

John Eowntree. 

This letter was endorsed by one from J. E-.'s mother 
(the Elizabeth Rowntree whom the reader may remember 
as the hostess of J. and M. Yeardley on their first visit 
to Scarborough,) from which we extract a few lines. 

The accounts I have received have often helped to cheer 
my drooping mind, to hear how many you have met with in 
various places, who could sit down A\T[th you in worshipping 
the Father in spirit and in truth. I have thought of the 
privileges many of us have had, yet I think many you have 
met with may make us ashamed of ourselves ; and the 
desire of my heart has often been that we may be more 
deepened. 



JET. 47.] LETTER FROM RICHARD COCKIK. 243 

John Rowntree's letter contained the information that 
Eichard Cockin, of Doncaster, a Friend universally 
known and respected in the Society, had been physically 
disabled by a stroke of paralysis. E,. C. himself wrote at 
the same time to John and Martha Yeardley, describing 
his affliction, which he received with childlike resignation 
as a message of love from a Father's hand. 

I have, he says, no expectation of getting again to meeting, 
and it does not appear probable I shall be able again to get 
down stairs. With respect to the state of my mind, it was 
an occasion of grateful admiration to me that such a poor 
unworthy creature as I felt myself to be, should be so favored 
as to have my will entirely subjected, as to become resignedly 
willing either to live or die ; and, for a time, the prospect of 
not continuing long appeared to be most probable. I, how- 
ever, felt no reliance upon anything that I had done or could 
do ; my dependence was entirely upon the unmerited mercy 
of God through Jesus Christ. 



CHAPTER XII. 

THE THIRD CONTINENTAL JOURNET. 

1833-4. 

PART II. — GREECE. 

On the 21st of the Eleventh Month John and Martha 
Yeardley left Ancona, and had a safe but suffering 
voyage of two days to Corfu, the capital of the island of 
that name. 

The atmosphere in this place, writes J. Y., soon after they 
landed, is different from Ancona in every respect. It has 
to us a feeling of home, and our minds are clothed with peace 
and, I trust, gratitude to the Father of mercies. "What we 
may find to do is yet a secret to us, but He who has brought 
us here will in his own time open the way before us. 

Isaac Lowndes of the London Missionary Society received 
us with much affection and kindness, and his wife and 
daughter are very desirous to promote our comfort. They 
took us to see a furnished house in the town, a part of which 
will suit us remarkably well. We think it a providential 
thing to have such comfortable quarters to come to. 

Some extracts from the Diary and the Journal letters 
will show in what kind of service they were engaged 
during their three months' residence in this island. 

11 mo. 24. — I went with J. L. to the First-day school in 
the village about a mile from the town. A delightful morn- 
ing, and a delightful sight to see about sixty fine Greek chil- 
dren reading the New Testament in the modern language. 
Their countenances are lovely and interesting, and their 
(244) 



^T. 47.] CORFU. 245 

anxiety to hear and answer questions is great ; their aptitude 
in comprehending the subjects offered to them exceeds all I 
have hitherto seen in any class of children of similar standing. 
The little group was composed of nearly all girls, clean and 
neatly dressed in the costume of the country. 

21th. — To-day we received a long visit from Lord Nugent, 
President of the Ionian Government, who had heard of our 
arrival on the island, and was anxious to see us. He is very 
kind and extremely open with respect to his plans for the im- 
provement of the jail, and for cottage cultivation. He desired 
me to go and see some unoccupied land without the gate. 

28^A. — According to appointment we went to the palace, 
and were received by Lady Nugent with marked simplicity 
and kindness. We were introduced to Lord L. and other 
persons of influence, took tea, and spent a most agreeable 
evening, and I hope a profitable ; for all our conversation was 
on the subject of bettering the condition of the poor and 
destitute children. 

12 mo. 3. — This morning we received a visit from a room- 
ful of Greeks. We are desirous to cultivate the acquaintance 
of the Greeks as the object of our visit of gospel love. Yes- 
terday we were visited by several of the military officers and 
their wives, who will I hope co-operate with our plans of 
benevolence. Lord Nugent 's taking us by the hand opens 
the way to all others of rank and standing. 

11th. — This morning we had a visit from Dapaldas, Greek 
professor of theology in the university. He is a pleasing and 
enlightened man, and speaks French well, which gave us the 
opportunity of conversing with him pretty freely. I feel to 
love him much. He is one of the laborers in translating the 
Old Testament. 

IZth. — To-day we have received letters from England. 
Many of our beloved friends have been called from this 
state of being to another world. How much my heart feels 
humbled ; how unworthy I am of the least of the mercies 
daily received at the hand of a bountiful Creator. Since we 
have been here I have been favored with a strong conviction 
that we are here in the ordering of Divine Providence. What 



246 COUNT SARDINA. [1834. 

may in time open before ns in the way of gospel labor I 
know not. It requires time, caution, and much perseverance, 
to find a way to the hearts and best feelings of the Greeks. 
I greatly desire that we may be found in humble watchfulness 
and prayer ; and that, if found worthy to be the feeble instru- 
ments of declaring the way of salvation to the natives of these 
islands, we may embrace every opportunity to preach repent- 
ance towards God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, for this 
is the great object for which we have left our native land and 
all that is dear to us in this world. 

26^A. — Argyri left us and is gone to Syra. She was very 
sorrowful, and the parting to us all was painful. Although 
reserved and timid, she has become extremely attached to us, 
and we trust the three months we have passed together will not 
soon be forgotten. Her company has often been sweet and 
cheering, and in our little meetings for worship her heart has 
not unfrequently been tendered with religious feeling. She 
is desirous of being useful in schools, and of making a stand 
against the many superstitions which prevail, influencing 
others by her example, and through the aid of divine grace 
leading them to that vital religion in which she was instructed 
at Locle, and which is now a strength and comfort to her own 
mind. 

1834. 1 mo. 6. — To-day we received a visit from the young 
Count Fran 901 s Sardina. We had much conversation with 
him on the subject of the intercession of saints. He could 
not admit that they practiced the adoration of saints, they 
only meant to hold them up as examples of piety and virtue, 
and to induce others to follow them. We pointed out to him 
the importance of taking Him for our example who spake as 
never man spake, and has left us an example that we should 
follow his steps. This young man is very inquisitive and 
inclined to be sceptical, but under all has serious impressions. 
Many of the Greeks who are not entirely built up in their 
superstitions are inclined to doubt respecting the truths of 
Christianity. We were glad to put into his hand J. J. 
Gurney's Evidences. 

2Srd. — This evening we had another long visit from the 



^T. 39.] PATHANES — INTEEIOR OF THE ISLAND. 247 

Count. We entered verj fully into Churcli discipline, and 
left few points of faith and doctrine untouched, either in his 
Church or ours. I do not remember ever to have been more 
closely questioned ; but I think this young person sincere in 
his inquiries. I believe it is a precious time of visitation to 
his soul; he is very amiable and affectionate, and acknowl- 
edges the evils and vanity of the world. 

27^A. — This evening we have had a long conversation with 
Pathanes, our teacher in the language, and a deacon in the 
Greek Church. He is much attached to the rites of his own 
Church, but acknowledges the necessity of regeneration. 
They have a fatal error in the ceremony of baptism, positively 
asserting that when the child (or individual) has received this, 
he is really born again, and a fit heir of salvation. Such is 
the efficacy which they attach to this ceremony, that their 
creed sets forth, in the most unqualified manner, that whoever 
receives not the form cannot enter the kingdom. We could 
not forbear lifting up our testimony against the injurious 
effects of such a creed. 

2Qth. — We have had a ride to-day with I. Lowndes and 
family across the island, sixteen miles, to the sea on the other 
side. Our road led us through a perfect wood of olive-trees, 
thickly planted and loaded with fruit. The hills are often 
variegated with the cypress, &c., and near to the sea are 
beautifully romantic. We dined at the fortress of Paleo- 
castazza, on the top of a high hill, on provisions we took with 
us, — the air good, and the prospect delightful. This place was 
formerly a convent ; the church still remains in use, and we 
visited two of the old Greek priests. One of them is ninety- 
five years old; he was lying on a dirty hard couch in a 
miserable apartment ; the other performs the liturgy. I. L. 
gave him the book of Genesis, which he could read but very 
indifferently. He was besides extremely cross, full of com- 
plaints of the soldiers who were stationed there. What a 
proof that to those who are in the gall of bitterness there is 
no peace, even in such a remote place. 

2 mo. 1. — Another long and pleasant visit from Count 
Sardina. He is mild and condescending, but close in argn- 



2-i8 HINDRANCES TO LABOR. [1834. 

ment. His mind appears gradually to become impressed 
with the truths of the gospel ; and I trust the notions he has 
received from sceptical writers are giving way to a hope of 
salvation throuo^h Christ Jesus our Lord. Fearful of doing: 
anything to make the members of his own Church his 
enemies, he comes to us by night, — not for fear of the Jews, 
but for fear of the Greeks. 

9th. — How often our hearts are ready to sink within us in 
the midst of this dark and superstitious people. We have 
now been here nearly three months, and have not had one 
opportunity of publicly preaching the gospel. The power of 
prejudice in favor of their own superstitious rites, and the 
overwhelming influence of moral evil, seem entirely to close 
our way in this line. We have had much conversation with 
our friend, Isaac Lowndes, who has resided on this island 
thirteen years, on the subject of publicly preaching the gospel 
to the people ; and he says that such is their attachment to 
the ceremonies of their own church that they cannot be pre- 
vailed upon to attend the ministry of any other denomination. 
I. Lowndes is a character with whom we feel much Christian 
nnity, and his family is like a little lamp shining in the midst 
of gross darkness. 

This darkness, adds Martha Yeardley, is increased by the 
dissipation of the greater part of the English. The military 
have great influence here, and their practices tend greatly to 
demoralize the unhappy people. We have just heard that they 
have obtained leave of the Senate to hold a ball in the new 
school-rooms, and to break down the partition-wall between 
them for this purpose, which will prevent the school from 
being opened for another month. 

On the 23rd John Yeardley continues : — 

To-day my drooping spirit has been refreshed by six pre- 
cious letters from England, expressing the interest of our 
dear friends in our mission ; but oh, how my heart is humbled 
in the sense of how little we do. During our stay here I 
have been closely engaged in translating Judson's Questions 



^T. 48.] MORAL STATE OF THE ISLANDERS. 249 

on Scripture. The correction is nearly finished, and we pro- 
pose having a number printed for the school. 

Ignorance of the language was a perpetual hindrance 
in their way. Although they devoted a very large 
portion of time to acquiring it, the difficulty was almost 
insurmountable. They learned to read and translate; 
but to converse in Greek was for a long time almost 
entirely beyond their power. 

Although to preach and teach the gospel was the 
primary object of John and Martha Yeardley's errand, 
the temporal improvement of their fellow-men was by 
no means foreign to their mission; and we have often 
seen that plans for the promotion of industry and self- 
support were to the former objects of peculiar interest. 
During their residence at Corfu no small portion of his 
time was occupied with the establishment of a model 
farm, which seems to have been a joint scheme on his 
part and that of the administration. A grant of land 
was obtained from the Senate, and the prisoners, with 
some of the poor, were set to work to cultivate it. 
Some of the landowners watched the progress of the 
experiment, with the intention, if it should be success- 
ful, of introducing the plan upon their estates. 

We may conclude this account of their residence in 
Corfu with some general remarks on the rehgious char- 
acter and condition of the inhabitants. 

We trust, say they, our sojourn in Corfu may not have 
been in vain : if we may only be permitted to prepare the 
way for the further enlargement of the Saviour's kingdom on 
the earth, we may well be content. Preparing the way it 
may truly be 'called, for there is a great deal to be done 
among a people just emerging from barbarism, and bringing 
with them all the fixed habits of ignorance and superstition, 
17 



250 SANTA MAURA— THE BISHOP. [1831. 

before a door can be opened for the direct preaching of the 
gospel. Their mode of reasoning is strong and wily, and they 
ask questions which can only be answered in private con- 
versation and by Scripture proof. A great means of affording 
help must be by educating the rising generation and by the 
diffusion of Scriptural knowledge. Many of the priests are 
extremely ignorant, and some of them have only learned by 
rote the service of their own church in the ancient Greek ; 
their knowledge, therefore, cannot be founded on their own 
search for Scriptural truth, seeing they have not had the 
opportunity of examining for themselves. In some instances 
when we have presented to them the New Testament in the 
modern language, they have said, with a look of anxious 
gratitude, This is what we want; we priests teach in the 
churches what we do not ourselves understand. 

On the 26th of the Second Month they crossed the 
sea to Santa Manra, having a delightful passage of eight 
hours. Captain McPhail, the governor, a friend of 
William Allen's, met them himself with a boat, and 
conducted them to his house. He showed them every 
attention during their short sojourn, and introduced 
them to those persons whom they desired to see. They 
made an interesting caU on the bishop ; — 

A nice old man, who was many years priest in a village in 
the mountains, and, what is a wonder, he has been promoted 
on account of his virtuous life. He was a good example in 
his own village, and a great promoter of schools. The old 
man is candid enough to confess that he was happier among 
his rustic peasants than he is now in more refined society. 
We gave him the book of Genesis in Modern Greek ; and it 
was highly gratifying to us to see the surprise and. pleasure 
of his countenance on being presented with an account of the 
Creation and works of the Almighty in his native tongue. 
We thought the opportunity favorable for proposing the 
Scriptures to be read by the clergy in the modern instead of 



^T. 48.] A VILLAGE IN THE MOUNTAINS. 251 

the ancient language. He made no objection, and appeared 
to see the great utility which might arise from it. 

Something has been said about the semi-barbarism of 
the Greeks. What our friends learned respecting crime 
and violence, whilst in this island, places the manners 
of the people in a very strong light. 

Nothing can show more strongly the demoralized state of 
these islands than the frightful acts of cruelty done to the 
cattle out of pure revenge. One shudders to think of the 
skinning of beasts alive, cutting off the ears of asses, breaking 
the legs of horses ; yet of these sorts of cruelty not less than 
500 acts have been committed in the last four years, and the 
offenders have escaped being brought to conviction ! 

This dark picture is happily relieved by some traits 
of moral beauty. The narrative of a ride into the 
mountains of Santa Maura, which J. Y. made under the 
escort of the governor, proves to how great a degree 
virtuous and gentle manners grew and flourished in the 
remoter parts of this island. 

3 mo. 1. — This morning we set out for a ride about nine 
miles up the mountains to a village called Caria, which con- 
tains about 1200 inhabitants, and in the surrounding hamlets 
there are about the same number. 

About half-past 9 o'clock we started ; Captain McPhail 
and myself on his two sure-footed horses, and another 
English gentleman on a fine mule. After we had left the 
newly-made road, we pursued a track perfectly unequalled 
in any part where I have travelled ; rugged precipices, 
shelving rocks, and large loose stones, which assailed the 
feet of the poor beasts every step they took. However, for 
my part, I was well rewarded ; it gave me an opportunity 
not only of seeing the interior of the island, but also a 
specimen of the disposition of the natives. Before we reached 
the village, I observed, with some surprise, a tribe of people 



252 A VILLAGE IN THE MOUNTAINS. [1834. 

assembled on the top of the cliffs to see us come in, and on 
ascending a few more paces of rock, we found the children of 
the boys' school arranged like a little army^ with myrtle 
branches in their hands to welcome us to their sequestered 
hamlet. After greeting us with great respect, they followed 
us to the country-house of our English friend. 

The mountain multitude waited with patience until we 
had made our repast, when a few of the leading villagers 
were introduced to our room. And what was their request ? 
— A school for their daughters. They were asked what they 
would give towards its support. They answered, Whatever 
we can afford ; we that are able will pay for the poor, and 
they shall go free. It was then intimated to them, that their 
friends would assist them in establishing a school ; but that 
they themselves must join in the effort, and that it would be 
well to consult together, and put down their names and the 
number of children they would send. Here the town-crier 
came forward, and said he had for the last twenty years 
cried everything the government wished to be made known 
in the town, free of cost, and he would now go round and 
cry for the benefit of the school. ISText came forward the 
father of the young woman proposed for the mistress, who it 
was proposed should be further instructed in the village, and 
then sent to the town to learn the system. We asked them 
if they were sensible of the advantages of a school for girls, 
of having them brought up to be good wives, capable of 
managing their households, and able to read the precious 
things in the New Testament. One of them replied, With- 
out instruction what are we ? — we are like the beasts. One 
peasant had been so anxious for his daughter to learn to read, 
that he had made interest to send her to the boys' school. 
When we asked why he did so, he said, Because I had no 
other means, and I wished to have her read the New Testa- 
ment to us ; now I have the advantage of hearing that precious 
book read to me by my own daughter. It was delightful to wit- 
ness a feeling like this in a people so uncultivated ; surely the 
friends of education in Greece have encouragement to go on 
and prosper. 



^T. 48.] A VILLAGE IN THE MOUNTAIN'S. 253 

After this pleasing interview we proceeded to .t"he boys' 
school, followed by as many as could get into the room. 
When the boys had read, I desired that questions might be 
put to them on what they had been reading, but soon found 
that this important mode of instruction was neglected ; the 
master promised to introduce the questions which we are 
having printed, if we would send him the books. On 
returning to our quarters, we found among the crowd who 
were still present, the three priests, come, I suppose, to pay 
their respects to the governor. We were glad of an oppor- 
tunity of conversing with them. On asking their opinion as 
to a school, one of them said, in Greek, It is good, blessed 
and honorable. I could not let this favorable opportunity 
pass without impressing on them, through McPhail, the 
advantage of reading the Scriptures to the people in the 
modern tongue which they could understand, telling them 
that the book of Genesis was already printed in Modern 
Greek. They could hardly believe me, and on my showing 
them a new copy of this and of the Psalms, their eyes 
sparkled with pleasure. Our friend the governor read aloud 
a portion of Genesis, and one of the priests a little out of the 
Psalms. The long-robed, patriarchal looking man said. Ah, 
this is what we want ! We priests read in the churches what 
we don't understand ourselves, and how can we explain it to 
others. They modestly asked if they might have the books 
for a while ; and when we said they were given to them, 
there was a little jealousy who should have them ; this we 
removed by saying that more should be sent. Many of the 
kind-hearted people accompanied us to the precipice, and 
ran before to clear the way ; and, through divine mercy, we 
reached the dwelling of our kind host in safety ; not without 
a steeping of mountain rain. 

When the good Bishop of Santa Maura heard the result of 
our interview with the peasants, he sent one of his most 
influential priests with a subscription book for his people to 
put down their names towards a fund for the schools, thus 
promptly giving his sanction to general education. 



254 EXCURSION TO THE MAINLAND. [1834. 

3 mo. 2. — First-day. After breakfast we read a chapter 
and held our meeting with Captain McPhail and his wife, 
and felt a little comfort in holding up the standard of religious 
worship. Something was given us to utter, both in testimony 
and supplication. 

The next evening we dined with the governor. It was a 
state dinner, given to the judges and persons of rank in the 
town ; about twenty of us sat down ; the repast was splendid 
and the dishes innumerable. At the head of the table was 
Captain McPhail in full uniform ; on his right our hostess in 
a rich Greek dress ; on his left a young lady in the full 
Italian style ; my M. Y. and myself were not the least singular 
in appearance. All was done in good order, and a sweet 
feeling prevailed. 

4ith. — We are like prisoners at large, not being able to 
leave the island till the steamer returns. Captain McPhail 
has kindly proposed our paying a visit to the continent to 
see a little colony of the natives who live in wigwams. These 
people like many others suffered greatly from the Turks, and 
took refuge in Santa Maura, which has excited in them 
a feeling of gratitude for the protection of their English 
neighbors. 

About 9 o'clock we started in the Captain's boat, a family 
party, not leaving even the baby at home. We had a pleasant 
sail of less than an hour, and found seven ponies waiting for 
us at the landing-place. The ponies were brought into the sea, 
and we mounted the pack-saddles ; some of our company being 
carried from the boat on men's backs. Thus arranged we 
set out, one by one, along the narrow goat-paths, accompanied 
by our retinue, some going before, and some following with 
the baggage; We winded our way among bushes of myrtle 
and mastic till we reached the willow-city. It consists of 
about sixty perfect wigwams of one room each, with no other 
light but what is admitted by the doorway, four feet high, 
with here and there a glimpse that makes its way through the 
wattles. 

The people having received notice of our visit had made a 



^T. 48.] A \VIGWAM VILLAGE. 255 

general holiday, and were all assembled, with lively good- 
humor in their countenances, to greet our arrival. This is 
the first year that they have been left to enjoy their lands in 
peace since the destruction by the Turks of their little town, 
which stood at about half an hour's distance. Some of them 
possess property in land and cattle, and all live on the produce 
of their own farms, and produce their own clothing. These 
simple-hearted people show their good sense by avoiding all 
lawsuits, so common among the Greeks. They choose one 
upright old man, with two assistants, to govern them, to 
whose judgment they submit, and the greatest punishment 
is to be shut up for two or three days in a solitary room in 
the convent. 

The wigwam where we alighted was soon filled with visitors. 
We were served with coffee by our hostess, — an interesting 
woman, with much expression of mildness in her countenance. 
After conversing a while with the villagers, and satisfying their 
curiosity as well as we could, I thought it a suitable time to 
bring about the primary object of our visit, and inquired who 
among them could read. A young man came forward who 
had been educated in the school at Santa Maura ; we gave him a 
New Testament, and he read the greater part of a chapter in 
the Gospels. Those who were in the room listened with 
surprise and attention, and many without looked eagerly in at 
the doorway to hear what was going on. This was probably 
the first time they had heard the gospel in their own language. 
We gave them a few copies of the New Testament and some 
tracts, for which they hardly knew how to express their 
gratitude ; and we requested the reader to continue the prac- 
tice he had commenced. 

When this scene of interest was over we took a turn round 
the other huts. They are situated on the side of the hill, 
among myrtles, and command a delightful view of the valley. 
We passed by the common oven, and on looking in saw our 
dinner preparing. The table was spread in the hospitable 
wigwam which we first entered, a clean white tablecloth and 
napkins on a large board, with cushions around on boxes for 
chairs. The repast consisted of a whole lamb, well roasted, 



256 THE HERMITAGE AND THE ABBOT. [1834. 

and two sorts of Yorkshire-pudding, one of which was par- 
ticularly good. 

This patriarchal repast being finished, we again went forth, 
and visited the convent of Plija, distant from the wigwams 
about ten minutes' walk. Many of our new friends accom- 
panied us, the judge with great solidity of manner leading 
the way. We passed a beautiful fountain at the head of the 
glen, and entered the monastic edifice, which is built of stone. 
The abbot, a fine old man, met us at the door with a pleasant 
countenance. He invited us into his cell ; we had to stoop 
very low to save our heads, and the door-case was rubbed 
bright on all sides by the friction of this solitary inmate 
passing in and out. The hermitage consists of one room with, 
a bed in the corner, screened by a slight partition; a lattice- 
window' admitted a peep into the rich and lovely vale below, 
and the pure air of the mountain was not obstructed by glass. 
I had often heard of the Eastern custom of sitting cross- 
legged, but never till now experienced it in reality. We 
were desired to sit on cushions spread on the floor for our 
reception, and were served with the finest walnuts and honey 
I ever tasted ; and while we partook of this hermit-like repast, 
• there was a precious feeling of good, and I believe we had the 
secret prayers of the good abbot, as he had ours. When we 
presented him with the New Testament, Genesis, and the 
Psalms, he kissed the books and pressed them to his bosom, 
expressing his gratitude for the treasure. 

Our next visit was to the habitation of the judge, which is 
of the same description as the rest, where we were served 
again with coffee. What pleased us was the sweet feeling of 
quiet which prevailed, of v/hich I think some of them were 
sensible ; one woman, our first hostess, put her hand to her 
heart and said very sweetlj^, "I love you." 

They would not let us depart without showing us their 
ancient custom of taking hold of hands and dancing round, 
singing meanwhile a sort of chant. Many of them came 
with us to the water's edge, and prayers were raised in our 
hearts for their good, and thanksgiving to our Divine Master 
for the comfort and satisfaction of the day. 



iET. 48.] CEPHALOISriA — ZANTE. 257 

8 mo. 8. — Under the "hospitable roof of Captain McPliail we 
have felt much at home. His wife said our coming had been 
a blessing to her ; she is near to us in gospel love. The cap- 
tain accompanied us in his boat to the steamer. 

From Santa Maura they proceeded to Argostoli, the 
chief town of Cephalonia. 

We arrived about five o'clock in the morning. The en- 
trance to the town for a considerable distance is like a perfect 
lake : the white houses along the side of the harbor, and the 
craggy hill with the olives growing out of the rocks, had a 
pretty appearance at the break of day. Our young Greek 
interpreter, Giovanni Basilik, was with us. We had to call 
up the inhabitants of the only inn in the place before we could 
get shelter. At first the host refused to receive our little 
company, but after some explanation he consented to arrange 
the desolate-looking rooms into habitable order. 

They visited the schools and the prison, and they 
received from the Resident, H. G. Tennyson, and the 
schoolmaster and mistress, a friendly reception ; but the 
islanders are generally careless of instruction, and pro- 
gress of all kinds is slow. 

From Cephalonia they traversed the sea to the beau- 
tiful island of Zante. Though they had ten men to row, 
the passage occupied thirteen hours. 

Contrary wind, writes John Yeardley, compelled us to 
approach the island stowly, which gave us an opportunity of 
viewing the villages and scattered houses at the foot of the 
mountain. The town of Zante is very long ; the main street 
has piazzas on each side for a considerable distance. In many 
of the windows (I suppose a Turkish custom) there are some- 
thing like cages, through which the women peep without 
being seen, under the pretence of modesty ; but it is horrid 
to hear of the wickedness committed in-doors. However, 
I am glad to find the custom is dying away, and that the 
young women are now permitted to walk in public more than 



258 ZANTE. [1834. 

they were a few years ago. '^J'his island is by far the finest 
we have visited ; it is very fertile and well cultivated, and 
supplies England with currants; but, like their neighbors, 
the people have the character of being immoral, treacherous, 
and revengeful. It is sorrowful to think that, under the 
system of picture-worship, there is scarcely a sin of which 
the poor Greek is not guilty to an enormous extent. With 
God all things are possible — he can change the hard heart of 
man by the power of his Divine Spirit ; but, morally speak- 
ing, it must be some great convulsion that can work a real 
change in the nation. W. 0. Croggon has labored here 
more than seven years, and knows not of one conversion 
amono^ the rich Greeks — not one attends the service for wor- 
ship. He is the Methodist missionary here, and is called the 
friend of every man: he has been a real friend to us. 

The Governor and his wife have paid us marked attention. 
The former took us to see the prison, which is well conducted, 
and the prisoners are classed. We suggested the benefit 
likely to result from the prisoners being employed, and Major 
Longley [the Governor] intends to introduce basket-making. 
We have, in addition to the public schools, visited several 
private ones, and are pleased to find so many children receiv- 
ing education : this is really the chief source of hope for im- 
proving the morals of the Greeks, and dispersing the gross 
darkness which surrounds this people, whose long servitude 
and sufferings under very hard masters have almost driven 
them back to barbarism. 

11th. — There was a shock of earthquake, more violent than 
has been felt for some years in this place. Our room shook 
almost like a ship at sea ; the walls, beds, tables, and glasses 
were all in motion, and the sensation, while it lasted, was that 
of sea-sickness. The noise may be compared to the rolling 
of a carriage with many horses coming at full speed, and sud- 
denly stopping at the dwelling. (See Eastern Customs, p. 78.) 

Having thus explored the four principal islands of 
the Ionian Archipelago, John and Martha Yeardley 
turned their course towards the Morea. 



MT. 48.] PATRAS — THE GULF OF CORINTH. 259 

SOih. — At 6 o'clock in the morning we put ourselves once 
more at the mercy of the waves of the Mediterranean, and had 
a quick passage of fourteen hours. The landing at Patras 
was frightful ; a sudden squall threw us off the shore, and 
caused us to lose part of the rudder, so that we were obliged 
to get into a very small boat, which threatened to upset every 
moment. "We were, however, favored to land in safety on a 
projecting rock: it was nearly dark, and the whole had a 
terrific appearance. 

The plains near Patras, once beautifully planted with cur- 
rants, olives and vines, are now perfectly desolate. The 
castle was in possession of the Turks eight years, who made 
continual sallies from it for provision and firewood ; while, in 
order to disappoint them, the Greeks themselves assisted in 
the destruction of all vegetation ; so that there is scarcely any 
green thing to be seen. The old town is a scene of ruins; 
the site of the new town is near the sea, where temporary shops 
and houses have been erected. 

It was difficult to find a shelter for the night ; but a kind 
fellow-traveller assisted us, and at length we were pressed 
into a miserable dirty room, with only a board for a bedstead. 

At Patras we had abundance of consultation, whether to 
undertake the journey to Corinth and Athens by land, or to 
encounter the gulf. We concluded to venture on the latter, 
and contracted with the captain of a little boat to depart at 
five the next morning. He deceived us by not sailing at the 
time proposed ; but we made an agreement with other sailors 
to go off in the evening, hoping to get to Corinth the next 
morning: but, after tossing all night, we found in the morn- 
ing the ship had only made twenty miles; and about mid-day 
the captain declared he could not get to Corinth, and must 
put into a small port on the opposite side of the gulf, called 
Galaxidi, and wait for better weather. We were so exhausted 
as to feel thankful in the prospect of being once more on 
land. Nothing can be more comfortless than these small 
Greek vessels ; in the cabin you can neither stand nor lie at 
full length. 

After some difficulty in getting on shore, we were led to the 



260 A PRIMITIVE GREEK SCHOOL. [1834:. 

kban, a very large room with a fire in one corner for boiling 
water, and a wine store ; and round the side were benches 
which served for sitting by day, and on which the traveller 
spreads his mattress for the night, if he has one ; if not, he 
must go without. We were desired to mount a ladder to a 
loft like a corn-floor, badly tiled in, and divided into four 
parts by boards about five feet high. The one division of this 
place assigned to us had no door, and when the windows 
were shut, which were of wood, there was no light but what 
shone through the tiling or was admitted between the boards. 
The place was soon furnished, for the boy brought us a mat 
and spread it on the floor, which was all we had a right to 
expect ; but as we seemed to be visitors who could pay pretty 
well, they brought also a rough wooden table and three wooden 
stools. 

2nd. — Galaxidi is in ruins, presenting only mud cottages 
and temporary wooden houses ; ships also are in building. 

4:th. — This morning we walked among the huts of the 
town, and found an old man keeping school near the ruins of 
his own school-room, which had been destroyed by the Turks. 
It happened to be his dinner-time, and he was seated cross- 
legged on a stone, with a footstool before him, enjoying a few 
olives and a morsel of bread. Around him stood his ragged 
pupils, reading from leaves torn out of old books, some of 
which were so worn and dirty that the poor boys could 
scarcely discover what they had once contained. The weather 
was by no means warm, yet we could not wonder at his 
choosing the open air for the place of instruction, when we saw 
his dwelling, which was a mud hut not quite nine feet square, 
with no opening for light but through the doorway. In this 
hovel he taught his forty scholars when the inclemency of the 
weather did not permit their being out of doors. The grey- 
headed father was surprised that his humble company had 
attracted the notice of strangers ; but, seeing the interest we 
manifested in his calling, he inquired for a New Testament, 
which we gladly furnished, with the addition of some tracts 
to such of the children as could read them. This sight 
was gratifying to us as showing a disposition to teach and 



2ET. 48.] LIGHT IN DARKNESS. 261 

to learn, even under the most disadvantageous circum- 
stances. 

Oar quarters at the khan became more uncomfortable ; the 
people were so uncivil thej would hardly give us cold water 
without grumbling. The second night we witnessed one of 
the most dreadful storms we ever remember to have seen. 
Violent gusts of wind shook our desolate abode, while the 
rain poured down in torrents and found entrance in various 
parts of our apartment. 

They intended, as we have seen, to go to Athens by 
way of Corinth, and when they were disappointed of 
sailing to that city, and thrown upon the opposite shore 
of the gulf, they still seem to have supposed it impossible 
to reach the capital by any other route. 

bth. — Being, says John Yeardley, on the contrary side of 
the gulf, and thus deprived of helping ourselves by means of 
horses, we gave up all hope of reaching Athens, and thought 
we must of necessity return to Patras. We therefore inquired 
for a vessel to take us thither ; but never shall I forget my 
feelings of horror while trying to contract with a man for 
a boat. I said in my heart, O that I might be permitted 
to try the fleece once more in turning our faces towards 
Athens. The man was exorbitant in his demands, and it was 
too late to reach Patras without risking the night on the sea. 
To stay where we were was next to impossible without serious 
injury, especially to my dear Martha. Strong indeed was our 
united prayer for direction and help in this time of distress, 
and ever-blessed be the name of our adorable Lord who heard 
and answered our prayer. Out of the depths of distress a 
little light sprung up, and we thought if we could take a boat 
and cross over to Scala, a little port on the opposite side of 
the creek, we might then take mules to [Castri the ancient] 
Delphi, and if not able to proceed further on our way, the 
change we hoped would be useful to M. Y. We did make 
the effort, and were favored to get to Scala, where we found 
only a few scattered mud houses ; but on landing, there was 



262 DELPHI. [1834. 

a change of feeling immediately experienced. We were 
rescued from ship-builders and sailors, the vilest of the vile, 
and placed among a simple country people. 

The master of the custom-house, to whom we had a few 
lines of recommendation, invited us to his house and gave us 
coffee. He provided us with four mules ; three for the inter- 
preter and ourselves, and the fourth for the baggage. It was 
about eight miles, or two and a half hours' ride, to Delphi ; 
and no sooner had we begun to feel the mountain air than my 
dear M. began to revive. We had to climb precipices where 
nothing but mules could have carried us. At the foot of the 
mountain we came in company with two camels, which was a 
new sight to us. 

The situation of Delphi is the most beautiful that eyes can 
behold : mountains of rock, such as we never before saw, and 
in the back ground the far-famed Parnassus, covered with snow. 
The village consists of about one hundred cottages, some of 
them built in the rock. We were conducted to one of the 
best of these rustic dwellings, and met with a very friendly 
reception from the inmates. The house consisted of two 
rooms, and we were offered the use of one of them ; they 
furnished us with mattresses laid upon a sort of dresser, 
where we slept much better than for many previous nights ; 
even the hen and her thirteen chickens under our bed did 
not disturb us. The novelty of the visiters soon brought in 
several of the neighbors, who did not leave us, even while 
we took our tea. As there was a good feeling, we thought it 
well to improve the opportunity, and inquired who could 
read. The master of the house, a sensible man, said there 
were only about twenty in the village who know anything 
of letters, but that he could both read and write, for his 
father was a priest. 

After tea we produced a New Testament and the book of 
Genesis, and our interpreter read aloud the first two chapters 
of Genesis, Our host had never seen the Scriptures in his 
own language, and we think we never beheld a countenance 
more full of delight and intelligence than his was during the 
reading. After a short explanation of what had been read, 



^T. 48.] BEADING THE SCRIPTURES. 263 

and a word of exhortation, we thouglit to close; but the 
company were so pleased with hearing the account of the 
creation and fall of man [from the sacred record itself], that 
thej requested us to read more. I desired them to ask any 
questions on the subject they might wish; and the first which 
oar host put was, What kind of tree it was, the fruit of which 
Adam was forbidden to eat ? We answered that it was trans- 
lated in our language apple. He said they thought it was a 
fig. We told them it might be a fig, or it might be an apple ; 
but that the object of the Almighty was to try Adam's 
obedience. They at once agreed to this ; and the master of 
the house wisely observed, Jesus Christ came to restore to us 
what was lost by Adam's transgression. He then said, It 
would have been better if Adam, after his transgression, 
instead of hiding himself, had confessed his sin to Grod, and 
begged his forgiveness. We all agreed that it was a natural 
act for man, in his fallen state, to wish to seek excuse, rather 
than to confess his sin and repent. We then made some 
remarks on the prophecy of the Saviour in the third chapter 
of Grenesis, and ability was given us to preach the Gospel of 
life and salvation. All hearts seemed touched, and our own 
overflowed with gratitude. We may in truth say, Our 
Heavenly Father has plucked our feet out of a horrible pit 
and out of the miry clay, and set them upon a rock, and put 
a new song into our mouth, even praise to his glorious name. 
On considering afterwards our situation, we could not but 
behold the hand of a gracious Providence which had led us to 
this spot ; had we attempted to go by Corinth to Athens, we 
should [as they afterwards learned] have been stopped by the 
waters, and have missed seeing this interesting people ; but 
from hence the way was passable, and only four days' journey 
by land. 

After dinner we walked through the village up to the rock. 
We came to a fountain where several women were washing; 
one of them, a young-looking person, suddenly left her com- 
panions, and with hasty step and entreating air advanced 
towards us, as we supposed to ask something; but she 
bowed her head almost to the ground, and then kissed our 



264 FROM DELPHI TO ATHENS. [1834. 

hands; after wTiich she withdrew in a cheerful and diffident 
manner. The reason of this salutation was, that the younor 
woman had lately been married, and it was customary for the 
last bride of the village to kiss the hands of strangers. 

The temple of Apollo once occupied nearly half an acre 
of ground ; a great many of its marble pillars are still to be 
seen, half buried by the plough, and corn growing over them. 
About a hundred yards from this temple is the cave in the 
rock from whence the priestess pronounced the oracle. Amoncr 
the curiosities of this wonderful place, the tombs in the rocks 
are not the least remarkable. They are built of the most 
beautiful white marble; the entrance is by a large archway, 
and round the circle are several recesses in the stone, one 
above another, where the dead had evidently been deposited. 
They illustrate the history of the maniac dwelling among the 
tombs (Mark v. 3.), for these caves formed a perfect sort of 
house in which persons might dwell. 

^th. — We were not able to leave Delphi on account of the 
high wind with some rain. In the evening we again enjoyed 
our Scripture reading on the hearth. We continued the book 
of Genesis, and our host inquired whether those who died 
before the birth of the Saviour wfere lost. He was informed 
they were saved through faith in the promise. He. had sup- 
posed they went into hell, and that when Christ came he 
released them. We asked him if Enoch, who walked with 
God and was translated, could have been sent to hell. Of 
this he knew nothing, never having read the Scriptures. 

9^A. — This morning we procured four mules and four men, 
and proceeded on our pilgrimage towards Livadia, thirty- 
three miles from Delphi. Our kind host recommended us to 
the special care of one of the muleteers, who put his hand to 
his heart, and feelingly accepted the trust. We were most of 
the day winding round Parnassus, whose height above us 
was tremendous. The road was frightful ; over rocks, waters, 
and swampy ground ; we could hardly have believed it pos- 
sible to pass through the places where our mules penetrated. 
The muleteer performed his trust faithfully, rendering us all 
the assistance in his power. On parting we presented him 



JET. 48.] THEBES — AN" ALBANIAN VILLAGE. 265 

with some tracts ; lie could read, and was much gratified with 
the gift. 

At Livadia we were badly lodged, in a smoky room, and 
suffered much from extreme fatigue ; but we found ourselves 
with an interesting family, to whom we read the Scriptures, 
seated with them on the floor; and we could not but feel 
grateful to our Divine Master, for leading us among those 
who were thirsting to receive the Holy Scriptures in a 
language they could understand. 

10th. — We travelled on horses through a comparatively flat 
country, despoiled of all its verdure by the ruthless hand of 
war. The evening was wet ; we reached the once celebrated 
Thebes in the dark, and were glad to take shelter in a smoky 
room, in the first house that could receive us. The situation 
is fine, but the present town occupies only the part which was 
the fortress of ancient Thebes. 

11^^. — This day we had much mountain country to pass 
through. Every tree we could see was either partly burnt 
or partly cut away. Towards the end of our day's travel we 
went through an immense wood, difficult of passage, on 
leaving which the Gulf of JEgina appeared in view. We 
rested for the night at a little settlement of Albanians near 
the coast. We obtained shelter in the cottage of an old 
woman, who seemed a little startled at the appearance of 
strangers, whose language she could not understand. Con- 
cluding, however, that we had the common wants of nature, 
and having no bread to offer us, she quickly prepared a little 
meal, made a cake, and baked it on the hearth under the 
ashes. We made signs to be furnished with a vessel in which 
we might prepare a little chocolate, our frequent repast under 
such circumstances; and, at length, a very rough homely- 
looking pitcher was produced ; but the greater difficulty was 
to find something in which to boil the milk and water. After 
waiting till their own soup had been prepared, we obtained 
the use of the saucepan. These difficulties overcome, we 
enjoyed our meal ; and offered some to a Greek woman who 
had walked beside our mules for the sake of company, on her 
dreary journey to Athens ; but she refused, with thanks, 
18 



266 ATHENS. [183-i. 

saying, I am not sick ; for tLe Greeks seldom take beverage 
of this sort, except when they are indisposed. As the inmates 
of this homely cottage, as well as the neighbors, who usually 
come in to see travellers of our uncommon appearance, did 
not understand Greek, we were deprived of the opportunity 
of reading the Holy Scriptures to them, or of conversing with 
them on the subject of religion. All that we could do was 
to prepare for rest, of which we stood in great need, having 
had a very fatiguing ride through the woods to this place. 
The room in which we had taken shelter was also to be our 
sleeping-place, in common with the old woman and her family 
and the Greek traveller ; in another part of the room were 
also a sheep and several other animals. "We swept as clean 
as we could a space in the neighborhood of the quiet sheep, 
and spread what bedding we had upon the mud floor, sur- 
rounding it with our baggage, except our carpet-bags, which 
served us for pillows ; and after commending ourselves and 
the household to the protecting care of the great Shepherd of 
Israel, we obtained some refreshing repose. (See Eastern 
Customs, pp. 17-19.) 

12th. — We started with tired bones. After a pleasant ride 
of four hours the Acropolis of Athens burst upon our view. 
The city is beautifully situated in a plain bounded by moun- 
tains, and near to a rich grove of olive-trees, which has been 
spared amid the ravages of war. I felt, says John Yeardley, 
low and contemplative ; many and various thoughts crowded 
into my heart. Every foot we set in Greece, we see deso- 
lation. I can scarcely believe that I am in the place where 
the great Apostle of the Gentiles desired to know nothing 
but Christ crucified ; and in sight of Mars Hill, from which 
the same apostle preached to the Athenians the true God. 

We reached the only inn in the town, much worn by fatigue 
and bad accommodation, yet very grateful for having been 
preserved from any serious accident during our perilous 
journey, and under a precious sense that it was in right 
ordering we persevered in coming to this place. 

We introduced ourselves to the American missionaries, 
Hill and King, and met with a hearty reception. The schools 



jsn^. 48.] ATHENS. 267 

under their care are the most gratifying sight we have seen. 
J. Hill and his wife have nearly 500 children on their list. 
We were much pleased with the arrangements of the schools : 
the classification is the best I have ever seen, and the children 
exhibit intelligence and thirst for instruction. The effect of 
Scriptural instruction on the minds of the Greek children is 
very gratifying. A young girl whom the directors had taken 
into the school as an assistant teacher, entered the family 
with a mind fortified in the superstitions taught in her own 
church, observing scrupulously the feast and fast-days, the 
making the sign of the cross before eating, and the kissing 
of pictures. The mistress wisely avoided interfering with 
what the girl considered to be her religious duties ; but after 
she had attended the Scriptural reading and the family 
worship for a short time, the light of divine truth broke in 
upon her heart ; and as she embraced the substance of the 
religion of Jesus Christ, her attachment to the superstitious 
forms became gradually weakened, until at length she left 
them altogether. The mistress one day said to her, I observ :• 
you do not keep the fast-days, nor cross yourself before 
eating, nor kiss the pictures. No, replied the child, I am 
convinced that making the outward sign of the cross cannot 
purify the heart from sin ; and as to meat and drink, I read 
in the Scriptures, that it is not that which goeth into the 
mouth that defiles the man. 

15^^. — Yisited the schools under the direction of Jonas 
King, of the Boston mission. He has an academy for young 
men, and a school for mutual instruction, containing together 
150. I think the mode of Scripture lessons particularly 
ef6.cient. The instruction given in the schools at Athens 
seems more complete than in any we have visited during the 
journey. J. K. has service in modern Greek three times on 
First-days, at which some of the young men attend, along 
with other Greeks, but not manv. 

During our stay in this city we visited many Greek 
families, and distributed among them religious tracts and 
portions of the Holy Scriptures, and exhorted them to the 
observance of their religious duties, often calling their 



268 ATHENS — CORINTH. [1834. 

attention to those points in which their own practices are at 
variance with the doctrine of Holy Scripture. 

The ancient ruins are exceedingly grand, and raise mingled 
feelings in the heart not easily described, but tending to 
humble the pride of human greatness. We saw the Temple 
of Thqiieus, the prison of Socrates, the famous Temple of 
Minerva ; but the spot that most nearly interested us was 
Mars Hill, whose rocky mount was in view from our lodgings, 
where we sat and conversed together of the Apostle Paul 
preaching the true God; and in the sweet stillness which 
covered our spirits, earnestly desired that the pure Gospel 
might again be freely preached and received throughout this 
interesting but desolated country. 

There are not more than sixty really good houses built in 
the town; but, including great and small, there may be 
1500 dwellings. It is settled that Athens shall be the seat 
of the Greek government; and the young king, Otho, laid 
the foundation-stone of the new palace in his last visit to this 
place. 

18^;^. — Being anxious to get to Patras in time to sail by 
an English packet to Corfu, we set off for the port. J. Hill 
met us, to see us embark in a boat for Kalimichi. The 
Greek sailors have a superstition against sailing at any time 
but in the night ; but after being deceived by one captain, 
we prevailed on another to set sail [in the daytime], in the 
full hope of reaching Kalimichi the same evening. A favor- 
able gale wafted us on for some time, but a slight storm 
coming on, the cowardly captain ran us into a creek, and 
kept us tossing all the night in his open boat. About eight 
o'clock the next morning we were favored to reach Kalimichi 
in safety, where we procured mules and reached Corinth to 
dinner. 

Here there are only a few houses standing in the midst of 
ruins. We took up our abode at the only inn, from the 
windows of which we looked upon the busy scene of a fair. 
Our hearts were not enlarged, as the great Apostle's was ; for 
our spirits were clothed with mourning in contemplating the 
darkness of the place. Many persons to whom we spoke 



JBT. 48.] DELAYS AND HARDSHIPS. 269 

could not read ; and on offering a Testament to tlie man of tlie 
inn he refused to receive it. 

We pursued our travels, and at mid-day met with a trying 
detention from the muleteer having neglected to obtain a 
permission. We were at length suffered to proceed, but 
arrived late at a miserable khan, where we passed the night in 
a loft. This poor place could only furnish two mules and a 
donkey, with a man to attend them ; but we were encouraged 
to hope we should find four horses about two hours further 
on ; but here we were disappointed, and could get no horses 
to proceed. We felt truly destitute, and took refuge in a 
loft from the scorching rays of the sun. We had very little 
food with us, and saw no probability of quitting our desolate 
abode till the next day at any rate. Thus situated we were 
endeavoring to be reconciled to our allotment, when most 
unexpectedly, about two o'clock, we espied a small fishing- 
boat sailing towards Patras, and immediately ran down to the 
shore, a considerable distance, to make signals to the boat- 
man, and inquire whether he would convey us to Yostizza, a 
place within a day's journey of Patras. We directly procured 
a mule to convey our baggage to the shore, and descended by 
a very rough path to a creek where the boat lay to. Here we 
were again detained by the guard making great difficulty in 
allowing the boatman to take passengers without a permit, 
which could only be obtained in the town, so strict and per- 
plexing are the regulations for travellers under the new 
government. However, after detaining us an hour and causing 
us to lose most of the fair wind, he suffered the man to take 
us. We sailed along pretty well for a time, when the wind 
suddenly changed, and the boatman told us we could not get 
to Yostizza that night, but added they would put us on shore 
where we should be within an hour's walk of it, and that 
we could readily find a mule to carry our baggage. This 
we gladly accepted, and were soon landed and on our 
way. 

Although sick and weary on board, we seemed to receive 
new strength for our walk, and arrived at Yostizza at about 
eight o'clock. Here our accommodation for the night was 



270 VOSTIZZA — PA TEAS [1834. 

much like our former lodging ; for this large town has also 
been burned by the enemy, and presents a scene of ruins. 
We engaged horses for the next day to convey us to Patras, 
and were a little cheered with the prospect of being near that 
place of attraction. The man of the house where we lodged 
could not read, but informed us there was a school in the town 
of fifty boys. We saw a person in the next shop writing, and 
offered him a Testament, which he very gratefully received, 
and sent for the schoolmaster, who seemed much pleased with 
our offer to send him books and lessons. We also gave books 
to several we met with, who began eagerly to read them 
aloud, and soon obtained hearers, so that it became a highly 
interesting scene : boys who received tracts from us showed 
them to others, and numbers crowded about us, even to the 
last moment of our stay. If we had had a thousand books 
we could have disposed of them. What a difference between 
this place and poor Corinth ! 

Our trying journey through Greece has given us an oppor- 
tunity of judging of the state of things, and I hope will enable 
us to relieve some of their wants. It is cause of humble 
thankfulness to the Father of mercies that he has preserved 
us in the midst of many dangers, and brought us in safety so 
far back on our way with hearts filled with love and praise. 

They arrived at Patras on the 22nd, but found that 
the English steamer had sailed two days before. They 
employed the interval before the sailing of another 
packet in establishing a girls' school, which was com- 
menced soon after their departure. At Corfu they 
received information of the opening of the school, con- 
veyed in a letter from the sister of the English consul 
in the following encouraging terms : — 

I am sure you will be gratified to hear that the school 
which was established by your benevolent exertions has been 
opened under the most favorable auspices. The first day 
we had twenty -two girls ; we have now forty-eight. Nothing 



MT. 48.] CORFU. 271 

can exceed the eagerness sliown by tlie children to be ad- 
mitted, and their parents seem equally anxious to send them ; 
with very few exceptions they come clean, and on the whole 
are attentive and well behaved. Of the forty-eight there are 
only nine who can read. The little Corfuot you recommended 
is first monitor, and of great use. 

They reached Corfu on the 12th of the Fifth Month, 
and were kindly accommodated at the office of the Com- 
missary Ramsay. 

Immediately on our arrival at Corfu, our young friend the 
Count Sardina renewed his visits. We saw him almost daily ; 
our conversations were often truly spiritual ; he opened his 
heart to us, and we rejoiced to believe that he had attained to 
a degree of living faith in his Redeemer. 

It will be recollected that their inability to collect the 
inhabitants in a meeting for worship was a source of 
discouragement to John and Martha Yeardley in their 
former visit to Corfu. Now, on revisiting this island, 
they had the satisfaction of holding two meetings for 
worship with Isaac Lowndes' congregation. 

6 mo. 1. — Isaac Lowndes haa now obtained leave to hold 
his meeting for worship in the large school-room, and I felt at 
liberty to propose having an opportunity to address the con- 
gregation. This he gladly accepted, and gave notice of our 
intention. It was pretty well attended, but not full ; a good 
feeling prevailed. 

15ih. — We had another meeting with the little company 
who meet in the school-room. The room was better filled 
than on the former occasion : it was a precious season of divine 
favor ; utterance was given to preach the word, and I trust 
there were some into whose hearts it found entrance. 

A few days before we left the island, I. L. took us to visit 
the Jewish Rabbi, who, though full of argument, appears 



272 DEPARTURE FROM GREECE. [1834. 

extremely dark and bewildered, dwelling on mysterious words 
whose interpretation is confined to the rabbinical office. He 
said they looked for a temporal king, who should give a 
temporal kingdom to Israel. It was a truly painful visit, and 
we left him with the desire that he might be instructed even 
out of his own law, which, if properly understood, would 
prove as a schoolmaster to bring him to Christ. 

After spending about five weeks at Corfu on this 
second visit, they again crossed the Adriatic to Ancona. 



CHAPTEE XIII. 

THE THIRD CONTINENTAL JOURNEY. 

1833-4. 

PART ni. — THE RETURN FROM GREECE. 

Of the numerous letters which John and Martha 
Yeardley received from England during this long jour- 
ney, very few have been preserved. We shall extract 
short passages from two which came to their hands not 
long before they left the Islands. The first is from 
John Rowntree, and is dated the 13th of the First 
Month, 1834. 

On my own account, and on behalf of the Friends of our 
Monthly Meeting, I feel grateful for the information respect- 
ing your proceedings. There is some difficulty in satisfying 
the eager anxiety of my friends to know all that is to be 
known about your engagements, and I may truly say that the 
kind interest which you feel about us is reciprocal. Often do 
I picture you to myself, laboring in your Master's cause, 
receiving as fellow-partakers of the same grace all whose 
hearts have been touched with a sense of his love, who are 
hoping to experience salvation through Him alone. 

Our reading meetings are pretty well attended this winter. 
We have been reading James Backhouse's journal : he was 
still engaged, when he sent the last account of his proceed- 
ings, in Yan Diemen's Land. Like you, he and his com- 
panion rejoice at meeting with those to whom, although not 
exactly agreeing with us in some respects, they can give 
the right hand of fellowship as laborers under the same 
Master. Like you, too, they devote considerable attention 

(273) 



274 LETTERS FROM ENGLAND. [1834. 

to the improvement of schools, and the improvement of the 
temporal condition of the poorer classes among whom they 
labor. 

In a letter from William Allen, written the 31st of 
the Third Month, occur the following words of encour- 
agement : — 

I have heard, through letters to your relations and others, 
that you have been much discouraged at not finding a more 
ready entrance for your gospel message ; but really, consider- 
ing the darknesSj the sensuality, and the superstition of the 
people in those parts, we must not calculate upon much in the 
beginning. If here and there one or two are awakened and 
enlightened, they may be like seed sown, and in the Divine 
Hand become instruments for the gathering of others. 
Should you be made the means of accomplishing this, in only 
a very few instances, it will be worth all your trials and 
sufferings. And again, you must consider that, in the per- 
formance of your duty, seed may be sown even unknown hy 
you, which may take root, and grow, and bring forth fruit to 
the praise of the Great Husbandman, though you may never 
hear of it. Be encouraged therefore, dear friends, to go on 
from day to day in simple reliance on your Divine Master, 
without undue anxiety for consequences ; for depend upon it, 
when he has no more work for you to do, he will make you 
sensible of a release. 

The passage to Ancona was tedious. 

We embarked at noon, and had a long passage to Ancona 
of twelve days. We landed on the 29th, and soon found our- 
selves occupying an empty room in the Lazaretto, without even 
the accommodation of a shelf or closet. The term of quaran- 
tine is fourteen days, but four days are remitted by the Pope. 
The heat is oppressive, and the mosquitoes annoy us much, 
but we are preserved in a tolerable degree of health ; and in 
taking a review of our visit to Greece and the Ionian Islands, 
we are still sensible of a very peaceful feeling, under a belief 



^T. 48.] JOURNEY THROUGH ITALY — FLORENCE. 275 

that we have followed the pointings of the Great Master, and 
a hope that the day is not far distant when the way will be 
more fully opened in those countries to receive the gospel. 
The preaching of John in the wilderness has often appeared 
to us to be applicable to this people, — Eepent, for the kingdom 
of heaven is at hand. 

7 mo. 6. — We left Ancona, and took the route through 
Foligno and Arezzo to Florence. That part of the Pope's 
dominions through which we have passed is highly pictu- 
resque ; hill and dale continually, and the whole country 
cultivated absolutely like a garden. Most of the towns are 
on the hills, and nothing can exceed the beauty of their 
situation. But as to vital religion, the spirit of those who 
desire the promotion of the Redeemer's kingdom, on the 
broad and sound basis of common Christianity, must be 
clothed with mourning in passing through this superstitious 
and illiberal country. What we have seen of Tuscany is not 
so fine, but the appearance of the peasants is much superior. 
The inns are much more agreeable than we found them on the 
road from Geneva to Ancona. 

We arrived at Florence on the 10th. The persons to whom 
we had recommendations were absent, on account of the heat 
of the season, except the Abbot Yaliani, a spiritually -minded 
man, who showed us great kindness. He has refused many 
advantageous offers of promotion, choosing to be content 
with a little, rather than to be hampered with fetters which I 
believe he thinks unscriptural, and not for the good of the 
Church ; he is of the opinion that it would be better for the 
common people to have the Bible, and to be more acquainted 
with its contents. He conducted us to see the School for 
Mutual Instruction, founded under the patronage of the 
Grand Duke, about twelve years ago. The school-room is 
very large, airy, and well lighted ; it was formerly a convent. 
The system of education differs a little from that practiced 
in England; but the children, about 240 in number, are 
apparently under an efficient course of instruction and dis- 
cipline. The younger boys have a string put round the 
neck, which confines them to the place during the lesson, but 



276 THE SARDINIAN CUSTOM-HOUSE. [1834. 

I observed it did not confine their attention. We were mucli 
pleased with the countenance and manners of the director, 
the Abbot Luigi Brocciolini ; his heart appears to be in his 
work, which is by no means easy. 

We left Florence early on the 13th, and had four days' 
hard travelling to Genoa. From Sestri to Genoa, a day's 
journey, is by the sea, and under the mountains, some of them 
of a tremendous height, and beautifully covered with olives, 
vines, and figs : the houses hang quite on the sides of the 
mountains amidst the olives ; I do not remember to have 
passed through any country equally picturesque. 

We had packed as many books and tracts as we well could 
in our wardrobe trunks, which were not once opened at the 
different custom-houses, but the surplus tracts, &c., we were 
obliged to put into a spare box by themselves, and this box 
was not suffered to pass the frontier of Sardinia. The first 
officer was embarrassed, not knowing how to act, and sent a 
gendarme with us to the bureau of Sarzana, the next town. 
The of&cer there was remarkably civil, but told us the law is 
such that books cannot enter except on conditions to which 
we could not in our conscience submit. We therefore left 
them in the bureau, desiring that they might be made useful : 
a person in the office said, in a half- whisper. These are the 
books to turn the people's heads. We were glad this loss did 
not prevent us from distributing others out of our remaining 
store, at the inns, and pretty freely on the road. 

Their object in returning by Genoa v^as to visit the 
valleys of Piedmont. They reached Turin on the 19th, 
and proceeded on the 22nd to Pignerol. From this 
place they visited most of the valleys, went into aU 
the families where Stephen Grellet had been, and had 
frequent religious conversation with the pastors and 
some of the people. 

We spent, says J. Y., five days amongst them. The old 
pastor Best died soon after the time that Stephen Grellet was 



^T. 48.] PIEDMONT. 277 

tliere. We met his son, lately appointed chaplain to the 
Protestant congregation at Turin. He is a young man of 
talent, lively and intelligent, and desirous of being useful in 
his new sphere of action. He came to us often at our little 
inn, and made many inquiries as to the nature of our religious 
principles ; our conversation mostly turned on the necessity 
of the assistance of the Holy Spirit in the exercise of Christian 
ministry. This he fully admitted, but was not prepared to 
dispense with the necessity of an academical preparation. I 
fear that sending the young men to Geneva for this purpose 
has not always had a salutary efiect. 

We thought it right to attend their worship on First-day 
morning at La Tour. The congregation consisted of about 
900 clean and well-dressed peasants, many of whose counte- 
nances looked serious. The short discourse of Pastor Peyron 
was orthodox, and the application impressive and edifying. 
He afterwards dined and spent the afternoon with us at the 
widow Best's, with several branches of her interesting and 
pious family. I humbly trust this day was spent to mutual 
comfort. 

They were disappointed to find that strangers were 
forbidden by law to hold public meetings, or preach in 
the assemblies of the Protestants ; and although they 
met with many pious individuals, they thought the life 
of religion on the whole at a low ebb, and deplored the 
prevalence of the forms and ceremonies used by the 
Church of England. The schools, too, they found to be 
in a very poor state ; the masters deficient in education 
and badly paid, and the schools conducted without 
system. The ministers showed them great kindness, 
and on their quitting La Tour, Pastor Best encouraged 
them by the expression of satisfaction with their visit. 
They returned to Turin on the 28th. 

Passing over Mont Cenis, they directed their course 
to Geneva, where they arrived on the 3rd of the Eighth 



278 GENEVA. [1834. 

Month, rejoiced to be once more on the English side of 
the Alps. On their outward journey their sojourn in 
this city had been short, but now they found it needful 
to make a longer visit, and were thankful in being 
permitted to mingle again in intimate communion w^th 
those who understood the language of the Spirit. They 
paid and received * many visits, and held two religious 
meetings at their hotel, at the latter of which about fifty 
persons were present. 

One of the most interesting occasions of which they 
speak was a Missionary Meeting, in which the minister 
Olivier unfolded his experience of a divine call to leave 
his country, and go abroad on the service of the gospel. 
The voice which he described as having been sounded 
in his spiritual ear, and the manner in which he received 
it, must have struck John Yeardley as singularly in 
accordance with the call to a similar service which he 
himself had heard so distinctly in his younger days, and 
which, like Olivier, he had for a long time hidden in his 
heart. 

8 mo. 4. — In the evening I attended the Missionary Meet- 
ing in the Chapel de TOratoire. Pastor Merle [d'A.ubigne] 
opened the meeting by a short prayer, and singing, and then 
gave a narrative of the liberation of the slaves in the Enghsh 
colonies, according to the account received from England. 
Pastor Olivier, from Lausanne, was present. He is about to 
depart for Lower Canada, and he spoke in a very touching 
manner of the way in which the mission had first opened on 
his own mind. When the concern was made known in his 
heart, he kept it there in secret prayer to the Lord for 
direction, and whenever he heard what he believed to be the 
same voice, it was always — Go, and the Lord will go with 
thee. A real unction attended while he gave us this account ; 
the way in which he spoke of it resembled the manner of 
one of our Friends laying a concern before a meeting: many 



^T. 48.] GENEVA. 279 

hearts present felt the force of Ms words. His exhortation 
to the young persons was excellent. Pastor Gaussen con- 
cluded the meeting with an address and lively prayer. 

Among the friends with whom they had religious 
intercourse were Pastors L'Huillier, Gallon, and Molinier. 
The last was a " father in the church " to them. After 
some conversation on the state of religion in Geneva, he 
proposed their sitting awhile in silence, well knowing 
the practice of the Society of Friends in this respect. 
John and Martha Yeardley had each a gospel message 
to deUver to him, after which he took them both by the 
hand, and offered up prayer for their preservation and 
the prosperity of the Society to which they belonged. 
"It was," says J. Y., "the effusion of the Holy Spirit, 
accompanied with power, and refreshed our spirits." 

With Pastor Gallon John Yeardley had a long con- 
versation on the principles and operations of the Societe 
Evangelique. 

I find them, he says, more liberal in their views than had 
been represented, and their extent of usefulness is already 
considerable. In their Academy they instruct young men 
with a view to their becoming ministers, missionaries, school- 
masters, &c., as the prospect for their future usefulness may 
open under the direction of Divine Providence. In a place 
like Geneva, such an institution may be well : while we regard 
it with some caution lest it should run too high on points of 
doctrine, we cannot but hail with peculiar satisfaction such 
a favorable opportunity of educating young men in the 
sound principles of Christianity, that they may happily prove 
instruments in the Divine Hand to check the spread of 
infidelity. 

From Geneva they went to Lausanne. Their old 
friend, Professor Gaudin, took them to see several pastors, 



280 BERNE. [1834. 

and other pious persons, and on First-day, the 17th, he 
and his family, with some other serious-minded indi- 
viduals, joined them in their hour of worship at the inn. 

It was, says J. Y., a time of a little encouragement to our 
tried minds, for we had been brought into doubt as to the 
utility of resting here, although we had seen, as we believed, 
in the true light, that we ought to seek out a few who could 
unite with us in our simple way. 

On the 18th they went on to Neufchatel, where they 
were received as before with much affection, and where 
they proposed to settle down for the winter, after making 
a tour in some neighboring parts of Switzerland. 

On the 20th they went to Berne, and hired a lodging, 
for the purpose of devoting themselves to religious inter- 
course with persons of the interior class. As soon as it 
was known they had arrived, their acquaintance rapidly 
increased, and they found it difficult to receive all who 
came. One of their first acts w^as to renew their inter- 
course with the Combe family at Wabern, where their 
visit in 1828 had left a sweet remembrance. 

They spent a fortnight in Berne and the neighbor- 
hood, and some passages from John Yeardley's account 
of this interesting visit may properly find a place here. 
The continual flow of Christian sympathy which it was 
now their happiness to experience, formed a strong con- 
trast to the dreary spiritual w^astes they had traversed 
ir Italy and Greece. It was at this time that they 
contracted or renewed a friendship with Sophie 
Wiirstemberger, since well known to many other English 
Friends. 

S mo. 24. — How greatly I feel humbled under the prospect 
before us in this place ; many thirsting souls are looking to 



^T. 48.] BEKNE. 281 

US for help, and we feel poor and weak ; we can only direct 
them to Him from whom all strength comes. my Saviour, 
forsake us not in this trying hour ; give us the consolation of 
thy Holy Spirit, and a portion of strength to do thy will I 
Our meeting is appointed for this evening; enlighten our 
understanding, Lord, that we may be enabled to instruct 
the people in the right way. 

2bth. — More came to the meeting last evening than we 
expected. They were still, and a good feeling prevailed; 
there were those present who knew something of inward 
retirement with their Saviour. 

Madame Combe called yesterday to ask some questions on 
the Supper and Baptism. I believe it would be an advantage 
to these pious people, if they were to read and compare one 
part of the Scripture with another more diligently. She left 
us well satisfied with the explanation given to her questions. 
We never touch on these points, unless we are asked ques- 
tions upon them. 

The various visits received this day have closed with one 
of no common interest from Dr. Karl Bouterwek, a young 
man from Prussia. He told us he had received much benefit 
in the church of the Dissidents, but was on the point of 
separating from them, because he could not agree in ac- 
knowledging they were the only true visible church. After 
some observations on the Supper, &c., we observed that there 
were individuals in this place whom the Most High was 
calling into more spirituality and purity of worship. He 
asked why we thought so. Our reasons were given, and he 
made no reply ; but a most solemn and precious silence came 
over us, which it was beyond our power to break by uttering 
words. Our hearts were filled with love, and the dear young 
man went away to avoid showing the feelings of his heart by 
the shedding of tears. 

28^A. — Took tea at the Pavilion, a pleasant country walk 
of twenty minutes from town, with Mad^- de Watteville and 
her daughter. She had invited a number of friends to meet 
us. We passed a couple of hours, pleasantly conversing, 
mostly on religious subjects. It is a little extraordinary, 
19 



282 BERNE. [1834. 

witli what openness some of these dear people speak to us of 
the state of their minds. When the circle was seated, we 
formed a pretty large company. The daughter of Made- de 
W. whispered to my M. Y., Are we too dissipated to have 
something good? We told her it was always good to en- 
deavor to retire before the Lord in humility of soul. I trust 
a parting blessing was felt amongst us. 

SOth. — From 9 o'clock till half-past 12, we received visits 
in succession, I think not fewer than fifteen. At half-past 2, 
Made, de Tavel accompanied us to the Penitentiary prison. 
For cleanliness and order, I think, it exceeds all I ever saw 
of the kind. I fear the religious instruction is very superfi.- 
cial; none but formal prayers and written sermons are used. 

Slst. — Attended Mad"®- Berthom's Scripture class, at the 
Institution for the Destitute. There are eighteen girls in 
the house to bed and board ; it has been established about six 
years. M. B.'s method of examining the children is the most 
simple and spiritual of any that I have seen ; she has an ex- 
traordinary gift for the purpose. 

9 mo. 2. — Attended the Monthly Meeting in the mis- 
sionary room. Many of the company were peasants from 
some distance. The singing excepted, it resembled a Monthly 
Meeting for worship in our Society ; for all had liberty to 
speak one after the other, five or six speaking by way of testi- 
mony : the doctrine was sound, and the way in which they 
coupled this with their Christian experience was really ex- 
cellent. I had much unity with the concluding prayer by 
Pastor Merley. 

2nd. — The evening was spent at Made. W.'s, with a pretty 

large company. proposed for a few verses to be 

sung; afterwards he read a chapter, and gave a long expo- 
sition, somewhat dry. When this and a prayer were gone 
through, it was late; neither my M. Y., nor myself, were 
able to express what was on our minds. Some uneasiness 
and disappointment were expressed by several ; and two of 
these dear friends came to our lodgings the next day, with 
whom we had a precious time. My M. Y. had to speak 
a few words to the particular state of M. B., and at the 



^T. 48.] ZURICH. 283 

close she acknowledged, in brokenness of spirit., tliat it was 
the truth. 

There is a remarkable awakening in the town and canton 
of Berne, both among those of the higher walks of life and 
the peasants ; but there is not strength enough to come out 
of the forms. There are thirty females to one man among 
those who are lately become serious. 

From Berne, J. and M. Y. proceeded to Zurich, ar- 
riving there on the 5th of the Ninth Month. They 
spent three days in the city, chiefly in the company 
of the Gessner-Lavater family, and renewed with the 
various members of it the intimate friendship of former 
years. A short passage descriptive of this sojourn is 
here appended. 

9 mo. 7. — We attended the worship of the ITational Church, 
and heard the pious Gessner. What he said was excellent, 
but I never enter these places without feeling regret that 
good Christians can be so bound by book-worship ; it certainly 
damps the life of religion in the assemblies. How much we 
ought to rejoice in being delivered from the forms. 

I was instructed yesterday evening by hearing a reply of 
one of the first missionaries of the Moravians [?]. He had 
labored diligently for twenty-five years, and when asked 
how many souls had been turned to the Lord by his means, 
he modestly answered, Seven. The person expressing sur- 
prise at the smallness of the number in so many years, he 
replied. How happy shall I be to stand in the Lord's presence 
at the last day, and to say, Lord, here am I and the seven 
children whom thou hast given me. We ought to labor in 
faith, and not expect to see fruit. 

The next town where they halted was Schaffhausen, 
like Zurich, dear to them in the recollections of past visits. 
Here they examined the school for poor children in the 
town, and that of Buch in the neighborhood. They 



284 BASLE. [1834. 

were delighted with both these institutions. The mis- 
tress of the former possessed an extraordinary natural 
talent for her office ; she was originally a servant, when, 
instead of seeking her own pleasure on the First-days 
of the week, as other servants did, she would take a 
few children to teach them to read and instruct them in 
the Bible. Their visit to the school at Buch is de- 
scribed by John Yeardley in No. 10 of his Series of 
Tracts, The Six Secrets. 

On the 13th they went to Basle, where they conversed 
with most of the pastors, and several other individuals 
of religious character. 

Serious, retired persons, says John Yeardley (9 mo. 21), 
frequently come to us and open the state of their minds with 
great freedom and confidence. If we are of any use to their 
thirsty souls, it is the Saviour's love that draws us into sym- 
pathy with them, and his good Spirit that enables us to speak 
a word in season to their condition. 

As usual, they visited the Mission House. Inspector 
Blumhardt informed them that the translation which 
had been made of J. J. Gurney's "Essays on Christianity," 
and of which 2000 copies were printed, had been pro- 
ductive of great good ; they had been distributed chiefly 
among those who were connected with the German 
universities. 

They remained at Basle until the 1st of the Tenth 
Month, and then returned by way of Berne to Neuf- 
chatel. At Berne a sudden diversion was given to the 
current of their thoughts by the intelligence of the 
death of Thomas Yeardley. J. Y. has left a memoran- 
dum of the occurrence, and of the singular foreshadow- 
ing of it upon his own mind which took place at Zurich. 



.Mr. 48.] DEATH OF THOMAS YEARDLEY ; 285 

10 mo. 2. Berne. — "We found many letters from England 
"waiting for us here, one of which, from my nephew John 
Yeardley, brought the sorrowful intelligence of the sudden 
and unexpected removal of my dearly-beloved brother Thomas, 
of Ecclesfield Mill. This took place on the 6th of the Kinth 
Month, about 20 minutes past 2, without sigh or groan, even 
as a lamb. These are the expressions of J. Y. ; he adds several 
sweet expressions of my precious brother's, which show that 
the solemn change to him was a joyful one : and I do believe 
his tribulated spirit is now at rest. On recurring to the 6th 
ultimo to see where we were, and what were the contempla- 
tions of my mind, I find we were at Zurich. That morning 
the following lines which I heard when a child, and had not 
repeated for the last twenty years, came forcibly into my 
mind : — 

" It's almost done, it's almost o'er, 
We're joining them th.at are gone before ; 
We soon shall meet upon that shore 
Where we shall meet to part no more." 

I not only repeated them to myself the whole of the day, buL 
even sung them aloud so often that my dear M. Y. said to me, 
"Whatever can be the meaning that thou so often repeats 
these lines ?" I replied, " I do not know that I have repeated 
them for the last twenty years, but to-day they are continually 
with me." This can have been nothing but the spirit of 
sympathy with the soul of my dear departing brother, for the 
awful impression of sorrow and solemnity in my mind on that 
day will never be forgotten; I mourned with the bereaved 
family without knowing it. My M. Y. had opened her port- 
folio to begin a letter to our sister Rachel, and I wrote the 
verse on a piece of loose paper, and she slipped it into her 
papers, and said to herself, Surely these lines are not prophetic 
of something that is going to happen ? Last evening she 
handed me out of her portfolio the piece of paper containing 
the lines. 

At Berne they received also the tidings that " the 
excellent" M. A. Calame was no more; the Christian 



286 AND OF M. A. CALAME. [1834. 

mother of 250 orphan children was taken from the 
scene of her labors and the conflicts of time to the 
heavenly rest in her Saviour. The following appear to 
be among the last words which she wrote ; they were no 
doubt addressed to her faithful companion Zimmerlin : — 

In my numerous shortcomings I have enough constantly to 
humble me, and without being surprised at it, since evil is my 
heritage ; but my help is in the Lord, who delights in mercy. 
I have hope also for all my brethren whom I love, whatever 
name they bear. There are twelve gates by which to enter 
into the Holy City, and if they have passed through the great 
gate, which is Christ, I am sure that those who enter from the 
east, as well as those who have been brought in by the west, 
will be there ; but those who enter with me are better known 
to me than the rest whom I shall meet in that celestial 
Jerusalem, whither my sighs daily carry me, yet in submis- 
sion to the heavenly decrees, desiring only that the will of 
God our Saviour be done. 

You think my task is light ? Ah, no ! the love which the 
Lord has given me spends itself on so many hearts closed to 
their true interests ; I see the hand of the enemy in their 
souls ; I am so often deceived in my hopes, that my work is 
watered by my tears. From time to time, however, the Lord 
gives me hope ; a soul awakes from sleep, and is kindled into 
light by the torch of the gospel. 

And now, dear sister, have no longer any esteem or con- 
sideration for me ; only let the love of Christ live in thy 
heart for me : the desires of my heart carry you with it to the 
feet of Him who is Love. 

When they returned home, John and Martha Yeard- 
ley printed a short memoir of this extraordinary woman, 
whose name, though comparatively little known upon 
earth, is doubtless enshrined in the hearts of many who 
still survive, and shall one day shine with a lustre 



^T. 48.] NEUFCHATEL. 287 

which the most brilliant of her sex, whose ambition it 
is to adorn the court, the concert or the drawing-room, 
will desire in tain to wear. 

At Berne J. and M. Y. commenced a Bible class, 
similar in kind to the Scarborough reunion, which was 
continued until their departure, and was the source of 
much pleasure and profit to those who attended. Before 
quitting Berne, thinking it might perhaps be the last 
opportunity they should have of meeting with their 
numerous and beloved friends in that city, they incited 
them to join them in worship in their apartment. 

Many, says John Yeardley, gave us their company ; much 
tenderness of spirit was felt, and through the mercy of Divine 
Love many present were, I trust, comforted and refreshed. 

We quitted Berne on the 30th. We had become so 
affectionately attached to many Christian friends, that parting 
from them was severely felt. But what happiness Christians 
enjoy even in this world ! those who love the Saviour remain 
united in Him when outwardly separated. 

Neufchatel, for the sake of those who resided there, 
was equally attractive to them as Berne. 

We arrived at Neufchatel, writes John Yeardley, on Fifth- 
day, and on Seventh-day (11 mo. 1) settled into a com- 
fortable lodging on the border of the lake. It feels to us the 
most like home of any residence we have had during our 
pilgrimage in foreign lands. Our suite of cottage-rooms 
runs alongside the water, with a gallery in front, and the 
little boats on the lake, and the mountains in the distance, 
covered with snow, are objects pleasing to the eye. What 
gives us the most satisfaction is the feeling of being in our 
right place, and to meet with such a warm reception from our 
dear friends. 

This feeling was succeeded by some religious service 



288 ILLNESS AND DEATH [1834. 

of an interesting character, in reviewing which John 
Yeardley says : — 

23r(7. — Among those who meet with us, a little few know 
how to appreciate true silence, others are not come to this. 
But for what purpose are we here? If it may please our 
Heavenly Father to make use of us as feeble instruments of 
drawing a single individual into nearer communion with the 
Beloved of souls, we ought to be content ; and, blessed be his 
Holy Name, his presence is often felt in our hearts. 

As has been already said, they looked forward to 
spending the winter at Neufchatel. This intention, and 
their ulterior project of visiting Germany in the spring, 
were frustrated by the alarming iUness of Adey Bellamy 
Savory, Martha Yeardiey's only brother, the news of 
which reached them on the 29th of the Eleventh 
Month. 

This day's post, writes John Yeardley, brought us the 
sorrowful news of the severe illness of our dear brother A. B. 
Savory. The family at Stamford- hill have expressed a strong 
desire for us to return, if we could feel easy so to do, and 
seeing that we have pretty much got through what we had 
in prospect in Switzerland, we are, on the whole, most com- 
fortable to go direct for London, and leave Germany for the 
present. Our great Master is very gracious to us, giving us 
to feel sweet peace in the termination of our labors, and to 
look forward with hope to seeing our native land once more. 

The next day was First-day ; the parting with their 
Neufchatel friends was very affecting. 

11 mo. 30. — A precious meeting this morning. The pre- 
sence of Him who died for us was near, to help and comfort 
us ; our hearts were much tendered by his divine love. The 
taking leave of our dear friends here was almost heart- 
rending. There is a precious seed in this place, which I 



^T. 49.] OF A. B. SAVORY. 289 

trust, is a little deeper rooted since our last visit, and it is 
the prayer of my heart, that the Saviour may water and 
watch over it, and that it may produce abundance of fruit to 
his praise. 

They took their departure on the 2nd of the Twelfth 
Month, and arrived in London on the 13th, travelling 
through the north of France twelve days and six nights. 

Through divine mercy we arrived safe in London, on 
Seventh-day evening, and lodged with our beloved relations 
at Highbury, who received us with all possible affection. 
Our spirits on meeting, mingled in silent sorrow, while we 
were enabled to rejoice in God our Saviour. On First-day 
morning we went over to Stamford-hill, and soon were intro- 
duced to our beloved brother, who was perfectly sensible, but 
extremely weak. The peace and serenity which we were 
favored to feel by him was an inexpressible comfort to our 
sorrowful hearts. 

A. B. Savory died the next Third-day evening, and 
his remains were interred on the First-day following. 

21st. — This was the day fixed for the solemn occasion of 
accompanying the remains to the tomb. The body was taken 
into the meeting-house at Wewington, and the company of 
mourners and all present were, I believe, comforted and 
edified through the tender mercies of our Heavenly Father, 
J. J. Gurney's communication was particularly precious; 
he also paid a consoling visit to the family after dinner. 

We shall conclude this chapter with some reflections 
made by John Yeardley, on reviewing the changes which 
death had produced in the circle of his relations : — 

1885. 1 mo. 31. — Waking this morning, I took a view 
of the great ravages death had made in our families ; when 



290 DIARY. [1835. 

tins exhortation pressed suddenly and with peculiar force on 
my heart, — Be thou also ready. My soul responded, Thou 
Lord, alone, canst make me ready. gracious Saviour, who 
died for me, be pleased to redeem me from the bond of 
corruption, and purify my heart from earthly things. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

FROM THE END OF THE THIRD CONTINENTAL JOURNEY, IN 
1834, TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE FOURTH, IN 1842. 

During the seven years comprised in this chapter, 
the materials which exist for delineating John and 
Martha Yeardley's history are meagre. Of the numer- 
ous journeys which they made in the course of this 
period, the record kept by the former frequently con- 
sists of a mere itinerary. 

After attending the Leeds Quarterly Meeting in the 
Third Month, they returned to their home at Scar- 
borough, but soon left it again to be present at the 
Yearly Meeting in London. The Society of Friends 
began about this time to be agitated by differences of 
opinion, chiefly on points of doctrine. John Yeardley 
not only kept himself sedulously free from the spirit of 
party, but, whether from a natural aversion to pubhc life, 
or from the fear of exceeding the limit of his own calling 
and abilities, he abstained from taking a prominent posi- 
tion, and left it very much to others to sway the affairs 
of the Church. But he was not unmindful of the 
dangers by which the Society was assailed, and he bent 
the force of his mental vigor and Christian experience 
towards the promotion of individual growth in grace 
and faithfulness to the divine call, and the diffusion of 
clear and comprehensive views of Scriptural truth ; and 
when the hour came for sympathising with those who 
were harassed by doubts, or such as were subjected to 
trial by the effect of religious dissension, he was ready, 

(291) 



292 EMPLOYMENTS OF HIS LEISURE. [1835. 

with his beloved partner, to share the burden of the 
afflicted, to probe the wounds of those who had been 
bruised, and to pour in the oil of heavenly consolation. 
His note regarding the Yearly Meeting is short : — 

The business was of a most important nature, and some- 
times very trying. We had strong proof that many spirits 
professing to have made long progress in the Christian life 
were not enough subdued by the humbling power of divine 
grace; but through all, I trust, our heavenly Father dealt 
with us in mercy, and sent help and wisdom to direct and 
strengthen his poor tribulated children. 

On returning to Scarborough, he writes: — 

I humbly trust our hearts are truly grateful to the Author 
of all our mercies, who has granted us once more a little rest 
of body and sweet peace of mind ; but, as it regards myself, 
I must say that inward poverty has prevailed more since my 
return home than it has done for the last two years of 
absence. It is well to know how to suffer want, as well as 
to abound. 

Want of occupation was not one of John Yeardley's 
trials, even when " standing," as he expressed it, " free 
from any prospect of immediate service, and feeling 
much as a vessel not likely to be brought into use 
again." Scriptural inquiry, the study of languages, and 
of the history of the Church, watching the progress of 
religious hght and liberty on the Continent of Europe, 
his garden, the binding of his books — these were the 
employments of his industrious leisure. To these must 
be added the time bestowed on several small pubhca- 
tions from his own and his wife's pen (the latter chiefly 
poetical), of which the " Eastern Customs," a volume 
which was the product of their united labor, and the 



MT. 49.] THE GTELS' LANCASTERIAN SCHOOL. 293 

materials for which were supphed by their journey to 
Greece, is the best known. 

But there was another object which drew largely on 
John Yeardley's time during his residence at Scar- 
borough. This was the unsectarian schools established 
in the town for the education of the industrial classes. 
Of these the Lancasterian School for girls was his 
favorite, and the deep and steady interest which he 
manifested for the improvement of the children, as well 
as the peculiar talent which he evinced for attracting 
and developing the youthful mind, are shown in an 
affectionate tribute to his memory by the late mistress 
of the school: — 

!For many years he was a visitor at our Lancasterian School, 
where it was his delight to impart knowledge to a numerous 
class of girls. He had a happy method of communicating 
information. The children used to listen with the greatest 
attention and delight; they never wearied of his lessons. 
Scriptural instruction was his first object ; the children were 
questioned on what they had read, and it was delightful to 
watch their countenances whilst he explained portions of 
Scripture, which he frequently illustrated by the manners and 
customs of Eastern nations; and this he did in a way that 
rendered his teaching valuable, as he did not fail to make an 
impression and gain the affections of his hearers. 

One little girl we had whom he used to call the oracle; 
and indeed she was not inappropriately so-called ; for when- 
ever any of the girls were at a loss for an answer, they inva- 
riably turned to her, and seldom failed to receive a response 
to their silent appeal. This gifted child died between the 
ages of sixteen and eighteen ; he was a frequent visitor at her 
bedside during a lingering illness, and it was his privilege to 
see that liis labors had not been in vain. 

I shall never forget him, not only for the important instruc- 
tion I derived from him, but also for his valuable assistance. 
During my labors of more than twenty -five years, I had 



29-i THE girls' lancasterian school. [1835. 

none to help me as he did. When at home he never failed 
to visit us every afternoon : no matter what the state of the 
weather was — snow, wind or rain — he was to be seen at half- 
past two, with his large cape folded round him, bending 
before the blast, toiling up the hill near the school. So 
accustomed were we to him that his coming was deemed 
a matter of course. 

After our Scripture lesson a portion of time was devoted 
to geography, particularly Bible geography ; then he would 
talk to them of places where he had travelled : his descriptions 
of the Ionian Islands, the people and the schools he had 
visited there, used to be a favorite theme, and very interest- 
ing. In this way our afternoons were passed, and truly they 
were times of profitable instruction. 

He seemed to care less for the boys' school ; he did occa- 
sionally visit them, but the girls were his pets. I have some- 
times thought his knowledge of the ignorant and degraded 
state of the females in Greece was the cause of his taking so 
much interest in the education of the females in his own 
land. 

In addition to J. Yeardley's labors at the Lancaster! an 
School, some of the older girls and a few others who belonged 
to the school assembled at his house one evening in the week, 
whom he instructed in reading and Scriptural knowledge. 
Some of these still speak with gratitude of the benefit they 
then received. 

In the Ninth Month of 1835, John and Martha 
Yeardley visited Settle Monthly Meeting, and Knares- 
borough, under appointment of the Quarterly Meeting. 
On their way thither they took up at York their aged 
and valued friend Elizabeth Rowntree of Scarborough, 
who was on the appointment. 

Her company, says J. Y., was a strength and comfort to 
us ; she exercised her gift as an elder in a very acceptable 
manner, in many of the families we visited, as well as in the 
meetings for discipline. 



^T. 49.] LETTER FROM M. YEARDLEY TO E. DUDLEY. 295 

This notice is succeeded almost immediately by the 
record of Ehzabeth Rowntree's sudden decease : — 

On the 25th of the Eleventh Month, we were introduced 
into deep affliction by the sudden removal of our precious 
elder, E. Eowntree. Her dependence for salvation was fixed 
on her Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, through the help of 
whose Spirit she had been enabled to lead a life of godliness 
and of usefulness to her fellow-mortals, and was always con- 
cerned to give the praise to Him to whom it was due,— the 
Lord of Lords. 

This event, with the removal of another pilgrim to 
become an inhabitant of the world of beatified spirits, 
and the pressing subject of the divisions in the Society, 
form the topics of the following letter from Martha 
Yeardley to Elizabeth Dudley : — 

Scarborough, 12 mo. 5, 1835. 

During our long sojourn last spring, in and about my 
native city, my spirit was deeply oppressed, nor did the con- 
flicts endured appear to produce much benefit either to myself 
or others. Here the way is more open, and, although we also 
deeply feel the eftects of the storm which has been permitted 
to assail our little Society, we are more able to endure it ; and 
desire to abide in our tents, except when called upon to 
defend that immediate teaching of the blessed Saviour, upon 
which we depend for our little portion of daily bread. 
I can truly sympathise with thee, my beloved Betsy, as having 
to bear more of the burden and heat of the day, and I do 
fervently believe with thee, that the more, as individuals, we 
commit and confide the cause to the Great Master, in humble 
prayer, the sooner it will be extricated from the perplexities 
which now harass and distress those who are truly devoted 
to it. 

We have deeply to mourn for our endeared and highly 
valued E. Eowntree, suddenly taken from us about ten days 



296 YEARLY MEETING. [1836. 

since. She and her sister E. S., from Whitby, had spent the 
preceding evening with us ; she was in usual health, and 
sweetly cheerful, rejoicing that she had been enabled to 
assist dear Sarah Squire in a family visit to Friends of this 
meeting, though she did not sit with her in the families. 
I heard of her illness and hastened to her ; she appeared 
sensible but for a very few moments after having been got 
to bed ; yet was heard begging for patience under extreme 
agony ; then added, We had need live the life of the righteous, 
for it is an awful thing to die. Then she suddenly sank into 
a slumber, and lay till a little after nine at night, when her 
purified spirit was peacefully liberated. 

We have got through Pontefract and some meetings in 
the neighborhood to our comfort, and on the journey had 
an opportunity of sitting beside the dying bed of dear Sarah 
Dent, which was indeed a peaceful scene. She was perfectly 
sensible, and so animated that I could hardly give up hope 
of her restoration. But she had not herself the least pros- 
pect of life, and said that, although she had found it a hard 
struggle to give up her husband and children, she had, 
through the mercy of her gracious Eedeemer, attained to 
perfect resignation. This was about a week before her death, 
and we have heard since, that a little before the close, she said, 
The Lord Jesus is near, I want you all to know that He is near 
indeed ! 

Dear Ann Priestman has united with us in visiting this 
Monthly Meeting : it seems now best for us to remain at home 
for a short time, under the bereavement which our own meet- 
ing has suffered. 

In 1836 they again attended the Yearly Meeting; 
of which John Yeardley thus speaks : — 

The Yearly Meeting was, I think, on the whole, satis- 
factory, much more so than many Friends could look for, 
considering the discouraging circumstances under which we 
came together. The main bent in all the important delibe- 
rations on subjects of great moment to the well-being of our 



^T. 50.] THAME. 297 

small section of the universal church, was to adhere to the 
long-known principles of the Society, and to turn aside the 
sentiments of opposing individuals in the spirit of gentleness, 
forbearance and love. 

They visited many meetings in going from and return- 
ing to Scarborough. The most interesting of these visits 
was at Thame, in Oxfordshire, which John Yeardley 
thus describes: — 

6 mo. 14. — Went in the evening to Thame, and had a 
meeting with a few who have met in the way of Friends for 
about five years at Grove End. There are only seven or 
eight who meet regularly, but they are often joined by a few 
others. No notice had been given to their neighbors of 
our coming, but on seeing us go to the meeting many 
followed ; the room was quite filled, and a precious meeting 
it was. Their hearts are like ground prepared for the good 
seed of the kingdom. The nature of spiritual worship was 
pointed out, and testimony borne to the teaching of the Holy 
Spirit. 

This little company reminded us of many such which we 
met with in foreign countries, particularly in Switzerland 
and Germany. We had a good deal of conversation with Wil- 
liam Wheeler, who was one of the first to meet in silence. He 
was a leader in the Wesleyan congregation, and became un- 
easy with giving out hymns to be sung with those whose states 
he knew did not correspond with the words. He would then 
sometimes select a hymn most suited by its general character 
te the company ; at other times he would leave out a few 
verses, and select others which he thought might be sung 
with truth by the whole congregation ; but the thing became 
so burdensome that he was obliged, for conscience' sake, to 
leave it altogether, and sit down with a few others in silence. 
At first they met with opposition, and even persecution, from 
persons who came - to their meeting to disperse them. On 
one of these occasions a few rude young men had banded 
together to beset them the next meeting-day, and disperse 
20 



298 VISIT TO LANCASHIRE. [1837. 

them. "W. W. was strongly impressed that it was right for 
him to proclaim an awful warning to some — that the judg- 
ments of the Almighty awaited them, that eternity was nearer 
than they were aware and he wished them to consider and 
prepare for it. One of the disturbers was taken suddenly ill, 
and died before the next meeting-day ; which produced such 
an effect on the others that they never more molested the little 
company in their worship. 

In reviewing this journey, J. Y. says, under date of 
the 25th of the Sixth Month:— 

I trust my faith is afresh confirmed in the gift of the 
Holy Spirit to lead in the way of religious duty, and to give 
strength to do His will. Lord, grant that the remainder of 
my days, whether few or many, be entirely devoted to the 
holy cause of endeavoring to promote the Saviour's kingdom 
on earth. 

In 1837, John and Martha Yeardley were occupied 
with making circuits in the service of the gospel through 
several counties of England. They were attracted to 
Lancashire, which they visited in the autumn, by the 
peculiar state of some meetings in that county, an exten- 
sive secession having taken place not long before. The 
difficulties which they had to encounter on this journey 
are represented in a letter from Martha Yeardley to her 
sisters, written at Manchester the 4th of the Ninth 
Month, 1837. 

I do not recollect that, in my little experience, I ever had 
more preparatory exercise of mind to pass through ; and I 
believe it has been the same with my dear J. Y. "We have, 
however, in many of our visits, been much comforted under 
the belief that those who remain firm in the testimonies 
given us to bear are in a more lively state, and more banded 
together, than has been the case heretofore, and that, through 



^T. 51.] VISIT TO LANCASHIRE. 299 

the mercy of our holy Head and High Priest, there is a 
renewed visitation to many. In the public meetings, of 
which we have had many, there has been a rather remarkable 
openness to receive the truths of the gospel, united with our 
view of the spirituality of this blessed dispensation. 

We approached this place in deep prostration of spirit ; 
and truly we feel that all the previous baptism has been 
needful, in order to enable us in any degree to perform our 
duty here. There has been a sore rending of the tenderest 
ties, and the wounds are not yet healed. There are a few 
who entertain ultra views, and their over-activity tends to 
keep up excitement in those who are wavering and have not 
yet left the Society : this makes it very difS.cult for mode- 
rate people to stand between them, and calls for very deep 
indwelling with the blessed source of love. On the other 
hand there are, I fear, very many who rejoice in the delusive 
suggestions of our unwearied enemy — that the cross of Christ 
is not necessary — that they may speak their own words and 
wear their own apparel, and still be called by the name of 
Him who died for them. I think we never have had more to 
suffer than in some of the meetings we have attended, from a 
disposition, perhaps in some degree on both sides, to criticise 
ministry : still there are, I believe, many precious individuals 
among the young and middle-aged who are under the forming 
hand for usefulness. There is indeed a loud call for laborers 
in this large and mixed meeting ; and we are ready to weep 
over the vacant seats of those who have deserted their post, 
and, I greatly fear, are seeking to warm themselves and 
others with sparks of their own kindling. 

Another letter from M. Y., written at the conclusion 
of this journey, supplies a few more traits of the 
Christian service into which they were led in the course 
of it 

Scarborougli, 10 mo. 7. 

"We remained nearly a month in our lodgings at Man- 
chester; receiving and paying visits, some of which were very 



^00 JOURNEYS TO THE ISLE OF WIGHT. [1839. 

interesting. Dear H. Stephenson and family were extremely 
attentive, and her daughter Hannah was our constant guide 
in that large place. We spent First-day at Rochdale, and in 
the evening a large number of young Friends took tea with 
us, between thirty and forty. This has mostly been the case 
on First-days, both at Manchester and elsewhere, and these 
opportunities have tended to our relief. 

After this we bade farewell to Lancashire, under feelings 
of thankfulness which I cannot describe, for having been 
mercifully helped and preserved through such a warfare. 

In the autumn of 1839 they again travelled south- 
wards, directing their steps through the eastern counties 
of England, and London, Surrey, and Hampshire, to the 
Isle of Wight, where they spent five weeks exploring 
its coasts and corners, in search, not of the naturally 
picturesque, but of the beautiful and hopeful in the 
moral and religious world. They returned home by 
Bristol and Birmingham. 

So attractive to their spirits was the Isle of AVight, 
that the next year they repeated the visit, going thither 
after the Yearly Meeting. In the Seventh Month they 
attended the Quarterly Meeting at Alton, and on their 
return to Newport were accompanied by Elizabeth and 
Mary Dudley and Margaret Pope. They remained in 
Newport and the vicinity several weeks, during which 
time, amongst other engagements, they conducted a 
Scripture class with some young persons three evenings 
a week. In a letter dated the 27th of the Sixth Month, 
J. Y. says: — 

My dear Martha feels deeply for the Unitarians in this 
place ; we sometimes think the way may open for us to help 
them a little. Their great stumbling-stones are, the want of 
clearness in the mystery of the oneness in the Godhead, and 
of faith in the practical influences of the Holy Spirit, as 



^T. 53.] ISLE OF WIGHT. 301 

operating on tlie heart of man. Our morning reading opens 
a suitable door of communication for those whose curiosity 
prompts them to seek our company. 

In company with Elizabeth Dudley they held several 
public meetings at various places on the island. They 
have left no record of this service, but we have a notice 
of the meeting at Porchfield, in a letter from E. D. 

The meeting was very satisfactory, sweet and refreshing to 
our spirits. The road was rough and hilly. We were behind 
time, and our friends being punctual, the house looked full 
when we got there, though more followed, until not only 
within but outside the walls there was a crowd of orderly, 
attentive people. Many of them were happily acquainted 
with the power of religion in their hearts, and prepared for 
spiritual worship. The assembly was composed of various 
denominations from a straggling village and more remote 
habitations. The chapel was built many years ago, by a 
pious man, now above eighty years old, who was with us, 
and who enjoys to have the place used by any who from love 
to Christ and the souls of men are attracted to visit them. 
The simplicity and openness to be observed and felt that 
evening was a comforting indication of freedom from party 
spirit, and those vain disputations which in so many instances 
keep Christians at a distance, and mar their individual peace 
as well as usefulness. 

Before they left Newport, they provided, with the 
help of several friends, suitable accommodation for the 
little meeting of Friends in that town. On taking leave 
of the island, which they did in the Eighth Month, 
John Yeardley remarks : — 

We have had much comfort and satisfaction in our sojourn 
in this place : a strong evidence is felt in our hearts that it 
has been ordered by the Lord. We have cause to acknow- 
ledge that our labors have been owned by the Divine 



802 DEATH OF JOHN BUTTER, [1841. 

Presence in our various exercises for the promotion of the 
Saviour's kingdom. 

In the spring of 1841 tliey repeated their visit to the 
Isle of Wight, spent great part of the summer in 
religious service in Essex, and visited afterwards Bristol, 
Bath, and other parts of Somersetshire. 

At Bath they remained for some weeks. Soon after 
their arrival in the city, they were introduced into 
sympathetic sorrow on account of the death of John 
Eutter, whose guests they were, and who was suddenly 
removed, by an accident, from time to eternity. This 
event is described in a letter from John Yeardley to 
his sister R. S. 

Bath, 9 mo. 24, 1841. 

The affectionate family of the Eutters gave us a hearty 
reception, and we remained under their hospitable roof until 
Second-day, when they were plunged into deep distress by 
the awfully sudden removal of their beloved father. He went 
out before breakfast, and called at his son's wharf. A cart 
of coals being about to be weighed, he was leading the horse 
on to the machine ; the animal, being a little unruly, suddenly 
rushed forward and pushed down J. R., and the wheel passed 
over his body. He was immediately conveyed to his own 
shop, when the spark of life became extinct, and he ceased to 
breathe, without apparent pain or emotion. We were nearly 
ready to leave our room, about half -past 6 o'clock, when 
one of the sons knocked at our door, and related the awful 
occurrence. I went down immediately : the scene may be 
more easily imagined by you than described by me. We 
endeavored to calm them as much as possible ; and, though 
deeply afflicted, they bear the stroke with sweet resignation. 
I wrote letters at their request to most of their near relatives ; 
and as we could not think of leaving the sorrowing family to 
go as proposed to Bristol, we immediately procured a lodging 
and settled in, in the evening. 



^T. 56.] PROSPECT OF BEVISITING THE CONTINENT. 30 



o 



On Third-day afternoon we went to the Quarterly Meeting 
at Bristol, and returned to Bath on Fifth day, not wishing to 
be long absent from the dear sorrowing ones. "We have a 
pleasant situation on the hill-side, called Sidney Lodge, from 
which, when the gas is lighted, the city is presented to our 
view like a beautiful panorama. 

Their minds had been for some time in preparation 
for renewing, on the Continent of Europe, Christian 
intercourse with some of their old friends, and for 
exploring new veins of religious life in countries \vhich 
they had not yet visited. Accordingly, in the Fourth 
Month of 1842, they acquainted the Friends of their 
Monthly Meeting with the prospect of missionary service 
which had opened before them, informing them that 
from the conclusion of their last European journey they 
had believed it would one day be required of them to 
re-enter that field of labor. The Monthly Meeting 
accorded its full and sympathetic approbation, which 
was endorsed by the Quarterly Meeting at a conference 
of men and women Friends, of which John Yeardley 
says : — 

The great solemnity which prevailed was truly refreshing 
to our spirits, and I believe to the spirits of many others. 
Our friends gave us their full unity, encouragement, sympathy^ 
and prayers, 

Martha Yeardley thus expresses the feelings with 
which she contemplated this arduous journey, in a letter 
to Josiah Forster : — 

It is indeed an awful engagement, now in the decline of 
life, and, with respect to myself, under increasing infirmities ; 
but I believe it best for me not to look too far forward, but 
simply to confide in the mercy and guidance of that blessed 
Saviour who has been our support and consolation under 



804 DEATH OF L. A. MAJOLIER. [1842. 

many deep trials, humblingly believing that whether enabled 
to accomplish the important prospect or not, it was an offering 
required at our hands, and that we must leave the event to 
the Great Disposer of all things. 

In the same letter she mentions their having heard 
of the death of Louis A. Majolier of Congenies, which, 
she says, although a cause of rejoicing as it regards him, 
was read by us with mournful feelings, from the recol- 
lection of his fatherly kindness in days that are past, and 
also from renewed solicitude for the little flock in that 
country. 

Before their departure they went once more into the 
West Riding, to see how their brethren of J. Y.'s earliest 
acquaintance fared. They were joined by William Dent 
of Marr, near Doncaster, with whom they were " sweetly 
united in the fellowship of the gospel;" and they returned 
to Scarborough with " grateful and peaceful hearts." 



CHAPTER XV. 

THE FOURTH CONTINENTAL JOURNEY. 

1842-3. 

In the journey which now lay before them, John and 
Martha Yeardley were about to explore a part of Europe 
hitherto untried, — the province of Languedoc, con- 
spicuous in past ages for its superior enlightenment, but 
now, owing to the temporary mastery of error, wrapt in 
ignorance and gloom. In this mission, the opportunities 
which they found for reviving and gathering together 
the scattered embers of truth, were nearly confined to 
social intercourse ; in seeking occasions for which, they 
availed themselves of introductions by pious Protestants 
from place to place, whilst they were careful, as had 
always been their practice, to wait, in every succes- 
sive step, for the direction of the Divine Finger. The 
mission was performed in much weakness of body, and 
under frequent spiritual poverty ; yet it will be readily 
acknowledged that theirs was a favored lot, to be able, 
with the clue of gospel love in their hand, to trace the 
pathway of Christian truth, and the footsteps of true 
spiritual worship, and of a faithful testimony for Christ, 
through the midst of a degenerate and benighted land. 

They went to London on the 2nd of the Eighth 
Month, and spent the time before they sailed in gather- 
ing information and counsel for their approaching 
journey, and in social visits. Speaking of one of these 
visits (to their nephew J. S., at Clapton), John Yeardley 
says : — 

(305) 



806 AMIENS. [1842. 

Before parting we had a religious opportunity, in wliich a 
word of exhortation flowed in gospel love, and ability was 
granted to approach the throne of mercy in solemn supplica- 
tion. I often wish we were more faithful in raising our hearts 
to the Lord before separating from our friends when met 
on social occasions; a blessing might attend such simple 
offerings. 

In a vist they paid to Thomas and Carolina Norton, 
the subject of establishing a school for the children of 
Friends in the South of France came under considera- 
tion ; a project which, as we shall see, they were able 
in their visit to that part of the country to carry into 
effect. 

They left London on the 16th, and on the 19th 
arrived at Amiens, where they halted for a few days. 
They found in this city a movement among the Koman 
Catholics, a number of whom had joined the Protestant 
worship. The Protestant Pastor, Cadoret, was very 
friendly to them ; when he heard that they belonged to 
the Society of Friends, he pressed John Yeardley's hand 
and said, I am very glad to make your acquaintance ; it 
is the first time I have seen any of your Society, of 
whom I have heard much. 

On the 20th J. Y. writes, in allusion to the spiritual 
darkness which so generally covered the land of 
France : — 

My soul is cast down, but when I am afflicted because of 
the wickedness of the people, I call to remembrance these 
words : " Fret not thyself because of evil-doers. Trust in the 
Lord and do good ; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily 
thou shalt be fed." — Psalm xxxvii. 1, 3. 

A large number of workmen of various nations are 
employed at Amiens in weaving. J. and M. Y. visited 



^T. 56.] PARIS. 807 

several of these in their cottages, and before they left 
the city invited the people of this class to a meeting, 
especially intended for their own countrymen, but open 
to all who were willing to come. The meeting, says J. 
Y., was an occasion precious to our souls ; the Lord 
gave us ability to declare his word. I spoke in English 
and my dear Martha in French. 

At Paris, whither they proceeded on the 22nd, they 
were disappointed in finding that the majority of the 
persons at whose houses they called were in the country, 
and some with whom they had taken sweet counsel in 
former years had been removed by death. Pastor 
Audebez was at home, and received them with a cordial 
w^elcome. They were detained in Paris longer than 
they had anticipated, by the illness of Martha Yeardley, 
and did not leave till the 9th of the Ninth Month. 
The morning after they had entered Paris the words of 
^ Job were brought to J. Y.'s recollection in a forcible 
manner : — " Thou hast granted me life and favor, and 
thy visitation hath preserved my spirit." (Job x. 12) ; 
and in going out of the city he was refreshed with the 
joyful language of David, — "How excellent is thy 
loving-kindness, O God ! therefore the children of men 
put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. They 
shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy 
house ; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of 
thy pleasures. For with thee is the fountain of life : in 
thy hght shall we see light." — Psa. xxxvi. 7-9. 

Some letters which John and Martha Yeardley re- 
ceived from England during their sojourn in Paris show 
the strong sympathy which accompanied them in their 
journey, and contain, at the same time, references to 
events which wiU be interesting to the reader. 



808 LETTERS FROM ELIZABETH DUDLEY. [1842. 

South Grove, Peckham, 8 mo. 12, 1842. 

Numbers vi. 24-27 : — " The Lord bless tbee and keep 
tbee; the Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious 
unto thee ; the Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and 
give thee peace. And they shall put my name upon the 
children of Israel, and I will bless them." To be pronounced 
by Aaron the high priest and his successors, as the type of 
Him by whom all blessing and favor are bestowed on the 
church and her children. 

The above portion of Holy Scripture, with the 121st Psalm, 
has been so sweetly in my remembrance since parting with 
my beloved friends John and Martha Yeardley, that, before 
retiring for the night, I transcribe the words which convey, 
so much better than any language of my own, the renewed 
and abiding desire under which they are committed to the 
care and guidance of the Good Shepherd, in humble but 
confiding belief that he will equally watch over, guard and 
keep, those who go and those who stay ; causing each, amidst 
all variety of circumstances, to realize the soul-cheering truth 
that, at the throne of grace, mercy is obtained and grace to 
help in time of need. May the peace which passeth all 
understanding keep our hearts and minds through Jesus 
Christ, prays your nearly-attached friend and sister, 

E. Dudley. 

The same to Maetha Yeardley. 

Peckham, 8 mo. 21, 1842. 

While in the sick-chamber of my sister, instead of at 
meeting, it feels pleasant to devote part of the evening to 
thee, my beloved friend. I have enjoyed the thought of your 
having a good Sabbath at Paris, where, no doubt, a sphere of 
duty will be found, and perhaps many exercises of faith and 
patience attend the labor of love which may await you 
there ; while, in the spirit of true dedication and acquiescence 
so mercifully bestowed upon you, no commandment will be 
counted grievous, nor any service for your Lord too hard or 
painful. His words come sweetly to my mind as really the 



^T. 56.] LETTER FROM JOHN ROWNTREE. 809 

portion of a brother and sister dear in tlie bond and power 
of an endless life, — " Blessed are your eyes, for they see, and 
your ears, for they hear." 

Accounts from various parts of this land continue to indi- 
cate much unsettlement, and there have been large companies 
of Chartists in the immediate vicinity of London ; but happily 
the civil power proved equal to their dispersion. One would 
hope the abundant harvest, now ready to be gathered, may 
turn the current of feeling, and induce the desire rather to 
praise the Lord for his goodness, than to spend time and 
strength in murmur ings and disputings with their fellow- 
mortals. The destruction, not only of property, but of life, 
in some recent contests, is quite appalling, and we certainly 
live in very eventful times ; the tendency, however, both of 
the good and evil, is so obviously towards an increase of light 
and knowledge, that it seems warrantable to expect all will 
be overruled to better views and practices becoming more 
general, and the kingdoms of this world being thankfully 
surrendered to the righteous government of the Prince of 
Peace. But alas ! deep and complicated may be the suffer- 
ings yet behind for the church and her children to endure, 
whether in being sharers in, or but the witnesses of, what is 
pronounced upon the world of the ungodly. 

Erom John Eowntree. 

Scarborough, 8 mo. 29, 1842. 

The account of your proceedings at Amiens has been 
particularly interesting to me. Whether manufacturing 
employments are unfavorable or otherwise to moral and 
religious character ; or whether it is merely the larger earn- 
ings which artizans receive, enabling them more glaringly to 
gratify their natural and corrupt inclinations than agricul- 
tural laborers, can do; whether the passive ignorance of the 
country laborer, or the more active and intelligent habits, 
yet combined with moral darkness, of the manufacturing 
operative, most retards the diffusion of religious truth, are 
serious questions for us in this country. Our manufacturers 



310 LETTER FROM JOHN ROWNTKEE. [1842. 

have been alarming the whole nation, and threatening us 
with something like political revolution ; but they have 
received a severe lesson, and many of our jails are filled with 
the victims of unprincipled agitators. Considering how little 
of the Christian spirit is generally found in the operations of 
government, the treatment of these poor creatures has on the 
whole been lenient, and no very severe punishments are anti- 
cipated. 

Whether the people of this nation have learned more of 
righteousness from the judgments of the Lord, which have I 
think evidently been made known in this part of his earth, is 
perhaps known only to Him who knoweth all things. I often 
fear ; — for surely there is very much of darkness and wicked- 
ness among us — yet I can not unfrequently hope that light is 
spreading, and that although the powers of evil are active 
and strongly developed, yet the active diffusion of the means 
of good more than keeps pace with them. " Greater is He 
that is in you than he that is in the world," is still a consoling 
assurance to many dejected yet hoping believers. Our dear 
friend Hannah C. Backhouse is strong in the faith that light 
is increasing, that the fields are white already for harvest, and 
that the Lord of the harvest is preparing and sending forth 
laborers into his harvest. 

The Protestants whom you found at Amiens, and in some 
other places, would probably remain totally unknown to 
ordinary travellers, and perhaps we do not enough consider 
how little known in a great nation the salt that preserves it 
may be. The reports from the agent of the Bible Society in 
France seem to me more than usually encouraging. I hope 
you may be enabled to impart some spiritual gift or know- 
ledge to many hidden ones who appear to be hungering and 
thirsting after righteousness in that vain-glorious nation, and 
that your faith may be strengthened by meeting with such. 

John and Martha Yeardley arrived at Lyons on the 
13th, and, after making some calls, intended to proceed 
to Nismes the next day. But not feeling satisfied to 
leave the city so soon, they concluded to remain there 



^T. 56.] LYONS. 311 

one day more; and they had cause to be thankful in 
having taken this course. 

FoP; says J. Y.; we have made the acquaintance of several 
religious persons. An evangelist and colporteur named 
Hermann Lange, a German Swiss, took us to see some Pro- 
testant converts, amongst whom we have found much of the 
interior life. The Lord gave me a word of exhortation for 
them, and helped me to utter it in French. We had a con- 
versation with our friend Lange respecting the ministry in 
our Society. Like many other persons he supposed we had 
no recognized ministers ; we explained the usage of Friends, 
and showed him our certificates, with which he was pleased. 
He admired the good order in use amongst us, and said that 
he had for a long time desired to be informed respecting the 
principles of Friends ; that he thought as we did, that an 
express call of the Holy Spirit was necessary to the ministry, 
and that women as well as men ought to be allowed to preach. 
I felt intimately united to him in spirit : on parting we gave 
him some tracts explanatory of our principles. 

Lyons is the head-quarters of popery ; the Jesuits here 
exert a strong influence with the government against the 
Protestants. We visited a good man named Elfenbein, who 
with his wife, is very useful to the awakened Protestants. He 
is a colporteur, and introduces the Holy Scriptures into fami- 
lies to whom he speaks concerning the things of God. He 
and his wife called upon us in our hotel. On parting he pro- 
posed we should pray together. This gave us the opportunity 
of explaining our sentiments regarding prayer ; and we pro- 
posed remaining a while in silence, and if it should please the 
Lord to put words of prayer into our heart, we would express 
them with the help of the Holy Spirit. After a time of 
silence, Elfenbein prayed for us with unction in a few words : 
it was a favored time ; thanks be to God. 

On the 15th they resumed their journey, and passing 
through Nismes proceeded to Congenies. They found 



312 ESTABLISHMENT OF NISMES SCHOOL. [18-i2. 

there Edward and John Pease, who were travelhng on 
a reHgious errand, and were about concluding their 
labors in those parts. The meeting was a source of 
comfort on both sides. The next day, which was First- 
day, was a solemn season: the gospel message was 
largely delivered in the little meeting-house, and 
Christine Majolier interpreted for those who spoke in 
English. The Two-months' Meeting was held, and 
here, as well indeed as on every other occasion, the 
English Friends missed the company and help of their 
valued friend, Louis A. Majolier. 

After residing for a while at Congenies, they removed 
to Nismes, where they preached to the strangers who 
attended the usual meetings for worship, distributed 
religious tracts in the city and its environs, and insti- 
tuted a Scripture Reading Meeting for the young. But 
the object which most strongly engaged their attention 
at Nismes was the foundation of a boarding-school for 
the daughters of Friends. Louis Majolier, during a 
great part of his hfe had conducted a day-school at 
Congenies : this school w^as, of course, not accessible to 
the children of those Friends who lived at a distance ; 
and soon after L. M. died even this was given up, and 
the means of education in the Society failed altogether. 
In their project for supplying this deficiency, John 
and Martha Yeardley found the parents and other 
Friends ready to second their efforts ; and at the Two- 
months' Meeting in the Eleventh Month, it was resolved 
to establish in the first place a school for girls only at 
Nismes, and a committee was appointed to carry this 
resolution into effect. A mistress was found without 
much difficulty in Justine Benezet, a valuable Friend, 
who had had for sixteen years the superintendence of 



^T. 56.] LETTER FROM JOHX RO\rXTREE. 313 

the Orphan Asylum, and whose health had in some 
degree given way under the too onerous charge. 

In reference to the accomplishment of this under- 
taking, J. Y. writes : — 

12 mo. 14. — Nehemiah i. 11 : — " Lord, I beseech thee, let 
now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of tliy servant, and 
to the prayer of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name ; 
and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day." I often 
think of these words of the prophet, and they Qiave sup- 
ported me] when my soul has been cast down on account of 
the school. 

During their abode at Msmes they \isited the little 
congregations of Friends which he to the westward of 
that city, and had to record that the presence of their 
Divine Master went with them, giving them his word to 
declare, and inchning the hearts of the hearers to 
receive it. 

A letter from John Kovmtree, which reached them 
towards the end of the year, contains some observations 
on the work they had found to do in their journey, 
with an interesting notice of what was passing in 
England. 

Scarborough, 11 mo. 14, 1842. 

My dear Friends, 

The plan of your meetings for Scripture 

instruction seems to me particularly good ; you will, through 
them, have numerous opportunities for impressing on the 
minds of your hearers the inestimable value of the Holy 
Scriptures, when properly received, and made available 
by the enlightening influence of the Holy Spirit, and the 
worthlessness— nay, the danger — of resting satisfied with a 
mere knowledge of their words. The words of our Lord 
were "spirit and life" to those who would receive them as 
21 



314 MONTPELIER. [1843. 

such ; yet how many who heard them were to be judged by 
them at the last day, because they believed not. 

We still hear sad accounts of distress in the manufacturing 
districts of the country. Some of your friends have probably 
informed you that at our last Quarterly Meeting much sympa- 
thy was expressed for the destitute artizans, and a liberal 
subscription was commenced, and was to be carried forward 
in all our meetings for their relief : a few days ago it amounted 
to £800 — I hope it will exceed £1000 : but what is that, it 
may be said, among so many ? yet I hope much good may be 
done by it, and Friends in other parts of the nation seem to 
be considering whether they ought not to make some efforts 
for similar purposes. At Liverpool we hear that upwards of 
£200 has been raised. 

You will probably have heard of the very sudden death of 
Jonathan Backhouse, whilst his wife was laboring under a 
religious engagement in the north of our county. His change 
seemed a translation from that state of strong but imperfect 
love which a member of the militant Church might feel here 
below, to that fullness of love which his Saviour had pur- 
chased for him above. 

In the Third Month, 1843, they quitted Nismes, 
taking their young friend Jules Paradon as their com- 
panion. 

The parting, says J. Y., from the dear family at the school 
was sorrowful. Before taking leave, we had a religious 
opportunity with the children, in which all hearts were 
touched. 

They arrived at Montpelier on the 7th. The pious 
characters to whom they were introduced in this city 
were mostly of the upper class — bankers, doctors, 
lawyers, and professors. They found that the principles 
of the Society of Friends were very little known there, 
but that many were desirous of being acquainted with 



^T. 57.] MONTPELIER. 815 

^them. Being pressed in their spirit to propose a meet- 
ing for worship with such as were disposed to give their 
company, their new friends readily agreed to it, and 
about thirty-five persons sat down with them at their 
inn. The assembly was, as they believed, owned by the 
great Master, who showed himself to be their strength 
in the time of weakness, and gave them power to preach 
the gospel and explain the nature of true worship. 
Pastor Lissignol and Dr. Parlier were amongst those to 
whom they were the most united. The latter filled the 
office of mayor when Josiah Forster and Elizabeth Fry 
were at MontpeUer. He told John and Martha Yeardley 
that the meeting they had just held had been strength- 
ening to his faith. That the Lord by his Spirit should 
move the hearts of his children in a distant land to visit 
his heritage in other countries, he regarded as a proof 
of his love ; and he spoke of the unity of spirit which 
is felt by those of different nations who love the same 
Lord, as a precious mark of discipleship. 

The town of Montpelier, say J. and M. Y., is built with 
taste and elegance, and the situation is most delightful : there 
are 4,000 Protestants in a population of 36,000. On Sixth- 
day (the 10th) we left this place of deep interest, with hearts 
grateful to the God and Father of all our sure mercies, in that 
he had enabled us to bear a testimony to the spirituality of 
worship as set forth by our Saviour himself. 

After leaving Montpelier, they continue the narrative 
of their journey as follows : — 

We lodged that night at Passanas, a dark Eoman Catholic 
town. Inquiring if there were any Protestants, the chamber- 
maid repHed, '' Protestants ! what is that ?" When we had 
made her understand, she said there were a few, but they went 
to Montagnac to mass. 



316 JOURNEY THROUGH LANGUEDOC. [1843. 

11th. — We slept at Narbonne, an ancient town of 10,000 
inLabitants. No openness to receive even a tract ; the inquiry 
for a Protestant excited an evident bitterness in the reply. 

On the 12th, held our little meeting with our faithful 
friend Jules, in which ability was granted to supplicate for 
the spread of divine light over this benighted district. At 
9 o'clock we set out to make a Sabbath-day's journey : the 
wind extremely high and always in our face, which fatigued 
Nimrod [their horse] as well as ourselves. We dined at 
Lesengnan : not a Protestant in the place, yet we met with 
a circumstance worth recording. Jules, who is ever watchful 
to find out who can read, gave a few tracts to some boys in 
the stable-yard. When I went out, writes J. Y., to see our 
horse, several rather bright-looking boys followed me, asking 
for books. After ascertaining that they could read, I supplied 
them. This was no sooner known, than boys and girls came 
in crowds, soon followed by many of their parents. As our 
visitors increased, I ran upstairs to fetch my dear M. Y., 
and we embraced the opportunity to speak to them on the 
importance of religion. No doubt curiosity drew many to 
us, for we were a novel sight there, and the mingled multi- 
tude Avas not less so to us. Amons^ our auditors was a 
messenger of Satan to buffet us. He was a good-looking 
man, who expressed a seeming approval of what we had 
done, saying we made many friends. We told him they were 
all children of the same Almighty Parent, and that there 
was but one true religion and one heaven. This observation 
drew off his mask, and he began to express doubts whether 
either heaven or hell really existed, and brought forward the 
threadbare argument of not believing what he could not see 
or prove. We asked him if he had a soul : he said he had. 
We asked him how he knew that he had a soul, for he could 
not see it : he replied, he believed that he had a soul, but 
that his soul would die with his body. We then asked him 
why two and two made four : he said he could not tell, and 
yet acknowledged he was bound to believe it. The coun- 
tenances of many around beamed with joy at seeing this 
darkling perplexed ; and we did not shrink from exhorting 



^T. 57.] JOURNEY THROUGH LANGUEDOC. 317 

him to repentance and faith in Christ, who died for him and 
for all men. 

On returning to our room the landlady entered with a fine- 
looking girl, for whom she begged a book. This opened our 
way to speak to her. of things connected with salvation. She 
said, — " We have not much of religion here." " Why so ?" 
we asked. ''Because the people do not like to confess to 
the priests." "And what is the use," said we, "of con- 
fessing to man?" "Because," she replied in somewhat 
trembling accents, "we think it eases our consciences, for 
the priests are the appointed ministers to take charge of 
our souls." "What," we replied, "a man take charge of 
immortal souls ! Grod never committed the power to forgive 
sins to man : Jesus Christ alone can pardon sins ; he died to 
save us !" I shall never forget the countenance of this dear 
woman, which seemed to express her long-shaken confi- 
dence in her spiritual guides. We exhorted her to come to 
the Saviour, who intercedes for us without the aid of man, 
and gave her a New Testament, which she said she would 
read. 

12ih. — Went to Manx to sleep. The landlady was com- 
municative: she told us that some travellers like ourselves 
some time ago had given her a New Testament, which she had 
lent about the village, together with tracts, and that she wished 
for more. We inquired if there were any persons in the village 
who would like to come to us for books. She soon sent us an 
interesting young woman, a schoolmistress, to whom on her 
entrance we presented some tracts. She regarded them with 
an air of thoughtfulness which seemed to measure the quantity 
to be taken by the price she would have to pay for them. 
When she found they were to be had gratis, her countenance 
brightened, and with it the brightness of her mind showed 
itself. On speaking with her of the responsibility of her 
profession, and the importance of imbuing the minds of 
children with just principles, she said, "I am desirous of 
instructing the children in the religion of the heart. Eeligion," 
added she, "though a good thing, is badly put in practice in 
our church ; the people do not like to confess to the priests. 



818 JOURNEY THROUH LANGUEDOC. [1843. 

and there is a great desire for instruction and to receive 
books." 

They saw again at the Inn at Manx the man who 
had opposed them at Lesengnan, and found him much 
better disposed than he had been the day before. He 
told them he had been a Komish priest, but being dis- 
gusted with the practices of his church, he had left it 
and joined the army : he promised to read the books 
they gave him. 

Our present mode of travelling -(with our own horse), they 
continue, though somewhat slow, affords opportunities of 
endeavoring to do a little good, which we should miss in 
travelling by Diligence or extra-post. It is curious and 
instructive to observe the various dispositions of the people 
in the dark places through which we pass : sometimes they 
are so fanatical as to tear a tract before our face; others 
receive them with joy. During a half-hour's rest for our 
horse at a village near Castelnaudry, my M. Y. made the 
acquaintance of an aged woman at the door of her cottage, 
who really did us good.' On inquiring if she could read, "It 
is my consolation," said she, " to read the Scriptures." " And 
we have great need of consolation," we answered. "Yes," 
said she, " I am a widow of near eighty years, and have had 
many cares ; but I pray to God, and he grants me the conso- 
lation of his Holy Spirit, and if I confide in him he will 
never forsake me." 

At Castelnaudry they left the main road and crossed 
the mountains to Saverdun, in order to visit the Orphan 
Institution in that place. 

By not going first to Toulouse, remarks John Yeardley. 
we saved about thirty miles of travelling ; but it was ill-spared, 
for one part of the road was so bad that it required a forespan 
of two oxen to drag the carriage through the deep mire and 



^T. 57.] SAVERDUN. 319 

over tlie dangerous ditches. After a little dinner at a poor 
place in the mountains, we procured a mule as a reinforce- 
ment ; for we stuck so fast in the mud that I never expected 
we should be able to extricate ourselves. My poor M, Y. 
Lad to walk a great part of the way ; I am quite sure extra 
strength was given us for the emergency. We lodged at 
Maz^res, where we called on the Protestant minister Besiere^ 
a most open-hearted Christian. He knew some of our Society, 
and wherever this is the case it insures us a welcome. On 
our telling him the dangers we had encountered on the road, 
and that we had escaped unhurt, he sweetly said, — " The 
Angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear 
Him, and delivereth them." — Psal. xxxiv. 7. 

On arriving at Saverdun, on the 17th, we immediately 
pursued the object of our visit, and proceeded to the Insti- 
tution, where we delivered our letters of recommendation, 
and received a cordial reception from the director. Pastor 
Enjalbal. "When the little porters opened the door, they 
cried one to another, " Yoila des Anglais !" The director 
seems to be wonderfully fitted for the post he fills. He was 
once a captain in the army. After his conversion, his heart 
was penetrated with gratitude to his Saviour for bringing 
him to a knowledge of the truth, and he desired to devote 
the remainder of his days in doing good to his fellow- 
creatures, particularly in the instruction of youth. The 
project of the Saverdun school was then in agitation, and a 
manager was wanted. , The excellent Pastor Chabrand applied 
to him, knowing him to be the man for the oflSce if he would 
only undertake it. "When he visited him for this purpose on 
behalf of the committee, he found him in his chamber 
weeping, and, as his confidential friend, he asked him what 
was the matter. ^'Why," said he, "my heart overflows 
with love to the Saviour, for all that he has done for me, and 
I seem to live without doing anything for his cause in 
return." " Well," said the pastor, " but the way is now 
open for you ; I am come with a proposal from the committee 
for you to accept the government of the Saverdun Institu- 
tion ; but I will not have an answer from you at present : 



820 TOULOUSE. [1843. 

weigh the matter for a fortnight, and I will come again and 
receive your decision." A sense of duty decided him to 
accept the offer. 

The superintendent conducted us to the members of the 
committee, to whom we had brought a kind introduction 
from Pastor Frossard of Nismes. The supporters of this 
institution, are the most influential in the town, rich, and 
withal pious characters. The Mayor, their secretary, is very 
active : he with his wife, an excellent woman, and several 
members of the committee, met ns in the evening at our 
inn ; they appeared to be greatly interested in works of 
benevolence, and in everything connected with religion and 
education. 

Toulouse, 3 mo. 20. — We arrived in this great and busy city 
on Seventh-day evening. Our first call was on the brothers 
Courtois, to whom we had letters of introduction from our 
Christian friends at Nismes. They received ns in a most 
cordial manner and were very open and communicative. 

On First-day morning, after our little meeting, we called 
on Professor F. Barnier ; he was rejoiced to see my M. Y., 
whom he knew at Congenies twenty years ago. He was then 
a Roman Catholic; indeed, in name he is not changed; but 
he is become very spiritually -minded, and much attached to 
Friends and our principles, believing them, as he said, to be 
the nearest in accordance of any with the doctrines of the 
New Testament. He has been, with his wife, several times 
to our hotel, and we feel sweet unity with his quiet exercised 
spirit. His situation here is important, having a boarding- 
school for the children of Protestants, with a few Roman 
Catholics, his piety and sincerity securing to him the con- 
fidence of both parties, which is matter of wonder in this 
day of religious conflict. He is one of those characters, 
more of whom we are desirous of finding ; one who wishes 
rather to enlighten than to censure the dark prejudices of 
men. 

We spent the evening with our kind friends the Courtois, 
and attended worship in their house. F. C. read the parable 
of the great supper (Luke xiv.), and made some remarks in 



iET. 57. TOULOUSE. 321 

explication of it; after which Pastor Chabrand spoke with 
much feeling on the influence of the Holy Spirit, the gradual 
operation of the Spirit in the secret of the soul, and the 
preciousness of dwelling in Christ, as the branch in the vine, 
in order to bear fruit. 

Pastor Chabrand told us in conversation that the first 
time he really saw the state of his soul and his need of a 
Saviour, was in the meeting-house at Westminster during 
half an hour's silence. After this time of precious silence a 
minister arose* and spoke in so remarkable a manner to his 
state, unfolding the history of his life, that he was melted to 
tears. Ever since that time he has appreciated the principles 
of our religious Society, and particularly our practice of 
waiting upon God in silence. These remarks opened our 
way to speak on a subject which has often given us pain in 
our intercourse with pious people, viz., the practice of going 
suddenly from one religious exercise to another. We ex- 
pressed our opinion that Christians, in general, in their 
worship, would derive more edification from what is spoken, 
if they were to dwell under the good feeling which is some- 
times raised, before passing so precipitately to singing, or 
even to prayer. With this he entirely agreed, and thought 
it a point of the utmost importance ; he wished it could be 
put in practice, for their church in general suffered loss for 
want of more quiet gathering of spirit before God. 

John and Martha Yeardley did not go further to- 
wards the west than Toulouse ; on quitting that city 
they turned northwards to Montauban. 

For several days, so they write, before reaching the extent 
of our journey westward, we travelled through a fertile coun- 
try, having the Pyrenean mountains on the south, covered 
with snow, a magnificent sight for those who travel to see 
the beauties of nature, but our hearts are often too heavy to 
enjoy them. 

* We believe Joseph John Gurney is here referred to. 



322 MONTAUBAN. [18-i3. 

Mbntauhan, 3 mo. 23. — Last evening we reached this 
pretty town, part of which is built on a high cliff overlooking 
the river Tarn, and commanding an extensive view over a 
fertile plain. Our first call was on Professor Monod; his 
wife is an Englishwoman ; she was pleased to see her com- 
patriots, and introduced us to Professor de Felice and some 
other pious individuals. Professor Monod invited us to spend 
the evening at their house, along with a number of persons 
who join in their family reading, and we did not think it 
right to refuse the invitation. A pretty large company 
assembled in the professor's room at 8 o'clock, among whom 
were some students of the college. The eighth chapter of the 
Epistle to the Komans was read, and some remarks made by 
the professor; he then kindly said, if we had any word of 
exhortation in our hearts, e hoped we should feel quite at 
liberty to express it. We felt it right to make some observa- 
tions with reference to the fore-part of the chapter, which sets 
forth that state of Christian experience in which the mind is 
prepared to participate in the many precious promises con- 
tained in the middle and latter portions ; ability was ,also 
given us to express our faith in the one Saviour and Me- 
diator, and in the influence and guidance of the Holy Spirit, 
and his office in the sanctification of the soul. This favored 
opportunity closed with supplication. We are well satisfied 
with our visit to this place ; it has removed some prejudices 
from our minds, and perhaps may have shown to those with 
whom we have had intercourse that Friends are sound in the 
faith. The short time we spent with Professor de Felice has 
left a sweet impression on our minds. He mourned over the 
want of spiritual life among the Protestants of Montauban, 
amid, as he said, '' much preaching, and many appeals to 
conscience." 

At Castres, where they stopped on the 26th, they 
visited the Orphan House, and held intercourse with 
the pastors, and with a pious lawyer. 

On our journey, says John Yeardley, we had heard of a 



MT. 57.] CASTEES — KETUEN TO NISMES. 823 

man near this town wlio bore tlie name of Quaker, and we 
inquired of the lawyer if he knew whether he was sound in 
the Christian faith. The lawyer spoke with respect of the so- 
called Quaker, but thought that in his opinions he favored 
Arianism. "If so," said I, rather hastily, "we will not seek 
him or recognize him." " Why," said the advocate, " it is 
the very reason you should go to see him, and try to do him 
good." At this reply my conscience was stung on account of 
my hasty conclusion ; and after reflecting on the matter, we 
walked next morning five or six miles into the country in 
search of the new Friend. He received us with joy, and we 
soon satisfied ourselves as to his soundness in the Christian 
faith ; but. he was rather ardent in his expectations of the 
reign of Christ on the earth. Twenty years ago he refused to 
take an oath on a jury ; the judge told him he must go to 
prison, to which the Friend replied, "I am willing to go to 
prison, but I cannot swear to condemn any person to death ; 
if you place me as juryman I shall acquit all the criminals." 
The judge, believing his scruples to be sincere, dismissed him 
without further trouble. This dear man attached himself to 
lis in such a manner that it was difficult to part from him ; he 
pressed us to remain some days in his house, but this our duty 
did not permit. 

From Castres they returned through Beziers to 
Nismes, visiting various little companies of Protestants 
by the way, and arrived in the latter city on the 1st of 
the Fourth Month. They found that the school had 
increased in numbers, and the scholars had made good 
progress. 

On entering the school-room, says J. Y., the girls all flocked 
to us, their black eyes sparkling with joy, while they clung 
round us with their little arms to be embraced. The harmony 
and peaceful feelings which pervade the family are truly 
comforting to our hearts. 

In taking a retrospect of what they had done up 



324 TULLINS— GRENOBLE. [1843. 

to this time, they write thus to their Friends in Eng- 
land : — 

The manner in which our gracions Lord has condescended 
to open the way for a portion of labor in this part of his 
vineyard, adds a grain to our faith : the service which has 
hitherto fallen to our lot on this journey is of that nature 
towards which we had a view before we left our native land ; 
and we are bound gratefully to acknowledge, amid many 
conflicts and discouragements, that sweet peace is sometimes 
our portion. But our dear friends in England will readily 
conceive that our baptisms are various and deep, during our 
separation from the bosom of our own little visible church ; 
and we hope to retain a place in their sympathy and prayers, 
when they are favored with access to the throne of mercy. 
Our love flows freely and unceasingly to all our dear friends, 
from whom it is always comforting to hear. Brethren, pray 
for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course and 
be glorified. 

On the 18th of the Fourth Month they again left 
Nismes, and commenced their journey towards Switzer- 
land, accompanied, as before, by Jules Paradon. On 
their way to Grenoble, they had opportunities of 
spreading many copies of the Scripture Extracts^ which 
they had with them, among the Roman Catholics ; and 
they had also some interesting conversation with indi- 
viduals of that profession. 

At Tullins, they write, the eagerness to receive books was 
so great, that a crowd soon assembled around us, and we 
found it dif&cult to satisfy them ; again, at the moment of our 
departure, they pressed round our carriage, and we could 
hardly separate ourselves from them. 

On the 22nd (to continue their own narrative) we arrived 
at Grenoble, with a view to spend First-day there. A letter 
from one of our acquaintances at Nismes to Pastor Bonifas 
procured us a kind reception, and he invited us to spend 



^T. 57.] GENEVA. 825 

First-daj evening at his house, where a meeting was to be 
held. We did not, however, feel quite at liberty to attend, as 
we found the regular church-service would be performed. The 
next day we received another invitation from the Pastor to a 
meeting where only the Scriptures would be read. We 
thought it best to accept it, and by going a little before the 
time proposed, we had a very interesting conversation with 
the Pastor, his wife, and a young Englishwoman, on our 
peculiar views. The meeting was an assembly of various 
classes, with a preponderance of young persons, and was a 
very interesting occasion : many of the young people were 
deeply affected. In the morning of this day we had been to 
see an aged Catholic woman of the Jansenist persuasion : she 
appeared to have no dependence but on her Saviour^ and, 
full of faith and love, to have her conversation in heaven ; she 
gave us a sweet benediction at parting. 

They left Grenoble on the 25tli, and pursued their 
way by Chambery to Geneva, taking care to dispose of 
most of their French tracts by the way, lest they should 
be stopped at the Savoy custom-house. They arrived 
in the city of Calvin on the 27th. 

Here, as on former occasions, they found much to 
interest them. Several of the ministers and professors 
whom they had known before, seemed to have become 
more spiritually-minded; and with the flock of the 
deceased Pastor Monnie, in particular, "of precious 
memory," they were united in near Christian fellowship. 

It seems to us, they write, that the feeling is spreading of 
the necessity of the immediate guidance of ^the Holy Spirit ; 
and we believe that this view of the gospel, with that of the 
universality of divine love, is much more calculated to win 
upon unbelievers, and to enlighten Eomanists, than the high 
Calvinistic doctrines which have so generally prevailed, and 
which impede the growth of Christian humility and daily 
dependence on divine help. 



826 LAUSANNE. [1843. 

At our little meeting on First-day morning, we had tlie 
company of a widow and her daughter. The former is like a 
mother to those around her who are seeking spiritual things, 
and we were much comforted together. She invited us to 
tea, and to have a meeting in her house the next evening : 
a considerable number were collected, among whom were a 
pastor, several professors, and many females. The pastor 
read a chapter ; and when, after a time of silence, the way 
opened for communication, it was like casting seed into pre- 
pared ground, and the retirement of spirit before the Lord 
which we recommended seemed really to be experienced 
before we separated ; it was a silence to be felt better than 
expressed. 

Amongst other pious persons in this city, they had 
an introduction to the Countess de Sellon. 

She received us, says J. Y., with open heart, saying, " I am 
fond of the principles of your Society, believing they have 
the real substance of religion, stripped of its forms." She 
asked us many questions, and we felt sweet unity with 
her. 

On the 3rd of the Fifth Month they went to Lau- 
sanne, where they renewed their friendship with Pro- 
fessor Gaudin, and had interviews with several other 
seeking persons. 

We were, they say, most interested by a pious magistrate, 
Frossard de Saugy, near relative to a dear friend of ours at 
Geneva. He inquired respecting the education of children, 
of whom he has many — by what means he could make them 
sensible of vital religion. We replied that all we could do 
was to represent to them the love and mercy of our blessed 
Redeemer, and recommend them to cherish the convictions of 
his Holy Spirit, which are very early bestowed upon us all : 
he entirely united in our views. 



JET. 57.] PAUL PETAVEL. 827 

From Lausanne they went to Yverdun, and the day 
after to Neufchatel. Since their last visit in 1834, 
some who were very dear to them had been summoned to 
eternal rest, which cast a shade of natural sorrow over 
their entrance into the place : and they were called upon, 
in addition, deeply to sympathise with some of those 
who remained. 

The family of Professor Petavel has sustained a great loss 
in the death of his eldest son, accompanied by circumstances 
peculiarly strikiDg. This young man was about nineteen 
years of age. He had been very serious for some time before 
his illness, and wished much to be employed as a missionary. 
Early instructed by his mother in the importance of seeking 
divine influence, his mind was prepared to receive the bap- 
tism of the Holy Spirit ; and he had a deep conflict to pass 
through, which he confided to his mother, and which he 
seemed to think was the presage to suffering. In performing 
some gymnastic exercises he received a fall on the head, 
which after some time was followed by a paralytic affection 
of the whole body, so that he became entirely helpless, and 
his speech was taken away. It was only his tender mother 
who could ascertain his wants and administer to them, which 
she did with unceasing assiduity. After about six months 
his speech was almost miraculously restored, and he used it 
in praising the Lord for the remarkable support and consola- 
tion of his Spirit. He said he had been sensible of all that 
had passed, and that he had been abundantly confirmed in 
the belief that true religion consists in hearing the voice of 
our blessed Eedeemer, and seeking to do his will. After 
some time the capability of speaking much again forsook 
him ; yet he lingered some months longer, and when M. Y. 
beheld him soon after our arrival, he appeared like a precious 
lamb purified, and waiting to be gathered to the everlasting 
fold. The resignation of his parents was truly edifying: 
they proposed that we should both come the next day, and 
sit quietly beside him for a while. This proved a deeply 



828 LOCLE — FUXI^AL OF PAUL PETAVEL. [1843. 

impressive time; the presence of the Great Shepherd was 
evidently with us, and called forth thanksgiving for the 
mercies received and the deliverance anticipated. While 
listening to a few words addressed to him at parting, he fixed 
his dying eyes upon us with an expression not to be forgotten, 
and before midnight the precious spirit was received into the 
arms of its Saviour. As we left for Locle early in the 
morning, we did not hear of this until our return the day 
folio win 2:. 

Their -^isit to their favorite orphan-institution Tvas, as 
ever, very interesting. They thus describe the state in 
which thev found it : — 

Our dear German friend M. Zimmerlin, the associate of 
dear M. A. Calame, still lives : she received us with over- 
flowing affection. After tea, which we took there, she 
hastened to show us the improvements in the premises, which, 
she said, our kind friends in England had contributed to 
procure by their donations through us. The institution ap- 
pears to be now in excellent order. In the evening, the 
children, 138 in number, were collected with the mistresses 
and family, and we had a very satisfactory opportunity with 
them. The same precious influence seems to prevail which 
we have noticed heretofore. 

They returned to Xeufchatel the next evening, where 
they heard that the remains of Paul Petavel were to be 
interred the next day. 

His father, they add, was desirous that the meeting we 
intended to hold with our friends should be held at his house 
that evening. When M. Y. went to see the family, she 
found the parents full of gratitude and praise. The funeral 
was attended by the students from the college, and a large 
number of others ; for the professor is much beloved, and the 
affecting situation of his son has been a lesson of instruction 
to the young people who used to associate with him, and 



MT. 57.] BERXE. 329 

seems to have had an effect on the whole town. The evening 
of this day proved to be a memorable time : a considerable 
number were collected, among whom were several pastors 
and a number of yoang persons. I seldom, says J. Y., re- 
member to have attended a more solemn occasion. The 
Saviour's presence was near, to console and instruct. After 
my M. Y. and I had relieved our minds in testimony and 
supplication, the professor and the other pastors spoke with 
much feeling ; I think it was evident they were constrained 
by the Spirit. We parted (to resume the words of their joint 
epistle) from the family under a strong conviction of the 
support and consolation which those experience who depend 
in living faith upon their blessed Eedeemer. 

From Neufchatel, John and Martha Yeardley went 
to Berne, where they renewed the bond of friendship 
with those to whose spiritual state they had ministered 
in former years. With these they united several times 
in worship and in social religious intercourse. At the 
close of one of these meetings, the lady of the house, an 
active and benevolent character, acknowledged, that she 
was sensible of the truth of what they had heard, and 
believed that in the present day the Lord was leading 
many of his devoted children to listen to his voice, that 
they might be brought more under the teachings of 
his Spirit, and from this would flow their consolation. 
" This ( they observe) is the more remarkable, as, when 
we were here before, she held views on election and 
the Jinished work of grace, almost to the exclusion of 
the work of ' regeneration and the renewing of the Holy 
Ghost.' " 

We find in some here, writes John Yeardley in his Diary, 

a desire for food of a more spiritual nature: they really 

enjoy waiting on the Lord in silence; but the customary 

activity is strong, and not easily broken through. I trust 

22 



330 BASLE. [1843. 

the day will come when silence will more prevail in the 
assemblies of the people. We left Berne with feelings of 
peace and of much affection for many in that place, and 
thankful to our Heavenly Father, in that he had prepared the 
hearts of his people to receive the invitation to feed on that 
spiritual food which alone can nourish the soul to eternal 
life. 

They arrived at Basle on the ITth. Since they had 
visited this city in 1834, Hoffmann, the director of the 
institution at Kornthal, had succeeded Blumhardt in 
the superintendence of the Mission-house. He received 
them with his usual kindness, and one evening they 
supped with the students, and had a religious meeting 
with them. They spent another evening with a pious 
family, where several missionaries and pastors were 
present. In speaking of this occasion, John and Martha 
Yeardley were led into a reflection which deserves to 
be pondered by Christians of every name. 

Before separating, they say, the Scriptures were read, and 
some of the missionaries spoke on the importance of uniting 
in desire for a more general outpouring of the Spirit : J. Y. 
also spoke much to the same effect. It was, we trust, a 
profitable season ; but the reflection arose on this occasion, 
as it has done on some others when among serious persona 
not of our profession, that if they would but suffer the 
degree of divine influence mercifully afforded thoroughly to 
baptize the heart with the true baptism, much creaturely 
activity would be done away, and the light of the gospel 
would shine in them and through them in much greater 
purity. 

We paid and received visits, they continue, from some of 
the Interieurs whom we had known before, and had to lament 
something of a visionary spirit in the midst of right feeling. 
We recommended simplicity, and close attention to the Scrip- 
tures and to the Shepherd's voice. 



^T. 57.] CARLSRUHE. 331 

One day John Yeardley went into the mountains to 
see an estabHshment called the Pilgrim Mission Insti- 
tution, where he was interested in meeting three young 
men from Syria, who had come there to escape the 
scenes of war in their own country, and with the desire 
to be rendered capable of instructing their country- 
men. 

They left Basle on the 22nd, and entered Germany. 
They were, for a time, a good deal embarrassed with 
the change of language from French to German, having 
had little or no occasion to use the latter tongue during 
their journey. They stopped at Carlsruhe, where they 
called, with an introduction, on the Princess of Wlirtem- 
berg. 

She received us, they say, very kindly, and we had a 
satisfactory interview with her, and also with an interesting 
female who has the charge of her children. After much 
conversation with the princess in French, she introduced us 
to her three lovely children, and asked J. Y. to give them a 
word of exhortation. We remained silent awhile, and, under 
a precious feeling, offered prayer for the divine blessing on 
this family and aU its branches ; after which the word of 
sympathy and exhortation flowed freely. At parting, the 
princess took a cordial leave of us, and said she received our 
visit as a blessing from the Lord. 

The next day they pursued their way towards 
Pyrmont. Being weary with travelling, and their 
horses also needing rest, they tarried two days at Frank- 
fort. Here they saw their old friend Von Meyer ; and 
spent much of their time in the company of Dr. 
Pinkerton. " I was instructed," says J. Y., " with 
seeing the charity and Christian meekness in which he 
daily lives." 

On the 3rd of the Sixth Month they reached 



832 ACCIDENT TO J. Y. — VLOTHO. [1843. 

Pyrmont, where they remained a few weeks. They 
attended on the 2nd of the Seventh Month the Two- 
months' Meeting, at Minden. Many peasants were 
present in the meeting for worship, and on John and 
Martha Yeardley's return to Pyrmont, some of them 
came to the meeting there on First-day, and begged 
the Friends to go to Vlotho to meet a company of their 
brethren. They gave the peasants liberty to call a 
meeting at that place for Third-day, the 18th. 

On Second-day, as they were setting off, an accident 
happened to John Yeardley. 

He had left the horse's head, writes M. Y., to attend to 
placing the baggage, when, hearing another carriage drive 
rapidly up, our horse set off, and my J. Y., in attempting to 
stop him by catching hold of the reins, fell, and was much 
bruised, but through mercy no limb was broken. We applied 
what means were in our power, and I urged our remaining at 
Pyrmont, and sending to defer the meeting ; but he would go 
on to Lemgo. His whole frame was much shaken, and we 
passed a sleepless night, so that the meeting next day was not 
a little formidable. It proved a much longer journey to 
Ylotho than we had expected; when we arrived we found 
a large number assembled. Five of our Friends came from 
Minden to meet us, and it was a remarkable meeting, notwith- 
standing we had gone to it under so much discouragement ; 
we have cause to bless and adore our Divine Master, who 
caused his presence to be felt amongst us. August Mund- 
henck interpreted for J. Y. and for me. J. E. also suffered 
his voice to be acceptably heard in testimony, after which the 
meeting closed in solemn supplication. "We pursued our 
way that night to Bielefeld and the next day towards the 
Ehine. 

On their way home they stopped at Diisseldorf. 
The ten years which had gone by since they had visited 
the Orphan Asylum at Diisselthal, near this town, had 



^T. 57.] COUNT VOIIT DEE EECKE. 333 

wrought a great change in the physical condition of 
Count Von der Kecke. He looked worn and ill, the 
effect of care and anxiety for his numerous adopted 
family; but he evinced a spirit of pious resignation, 
and had a hearty welcome ready for his visitors. They 
returned to England through Belgium, and arrived in 
London on the 8th of the Eighth Month. 

They did not at once return to their home at Scar- 
borough, but spent a month in Hertford, Oxford and 
Buckinghamshire, attending the meetings of Friends 
in these counties, and visiting that of Berkhamstead 
several times. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

REMOVAL TO STAMFORD-HILL, AND COMMENCEMENT OF THE 
FIFTH CONTINENTAL JOURNEY. 

1843-48. 

% 

The tour which John and Martha Yeardley made in 

and around Buckinghamshire, and which is mentioned 
at the conclusion of the last chapter, was undertaken in 
quest of a new place of abode. In a letter from Martha 
Yeardley to her sister, Mary Tylor, written on the 3rd 
of the Eleventh Month, she says : — 

Thou art aware that we have thought, if way should opeu, 
of going nearer to you, and of pitching our tent within the 
Quarterly Meeting of Buckinghamshire. We offered to pur- 
chase a cottage at Berkhamstead, but for the present that 
has quite fallen through : we therefore intend to rest quietly 
here for the winter, in hopes that in the spring or summer 
something may offer, either at B. or in that quarter, to which 
we feel attracted ; yet desiring to commit this and all that 
concerns us into the all-directing hand of our great Lord 
and Master, who has a right to do with us what seemeth 
him good. 

Not long afterwards they purchased a house at 
Berkhamstead, called Gossom Lodge, to which they 
removed in the Fourth Month, 1844. 

Very soon after they had taken possession of their 

new dwelling, they made a circuit through the meetings 

of Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire, holding a 

few pubhc meetings by the way : and the next summer 

(334) 



J3T. 60.] KEMOVAL TO STAMFORD-HILL. 335 

they undertook a more extensive religious visit — viz., 
to the six northern counties of England. 

In the course of the same year we find them medi- 
tating a further removal, into the immediate vicinity of 
London. One of the few entries in his Diary which 
were made by John Yeardley during this period, 
speaks of the apprehension of duty under which they 
contemplated this change: it was written after their 
removal. 

For some years past I have often thought the time might 
come when we might see it right to settle within Stoke 
Newington Meeting. This feeling now began (1845) to 
fasten more strongly on our minds than it had done before, 
and we thought it right to make an effort to let Gossom 
Lodge, and seek a residence at Stamford Hill ; and we have 
reason to believe that in this important step our prayer has 
been answered, and that all our deliberations have been 
guided by that wisdom which is from above. Yery strong is 
my conviction that our Heavenly Father is not unmindful oi 
the outward circumstances of those who seek his counsel, and 
desire to act under the guidance of his Holy Spirit. We 
were favored to let our house at Berkhamstead without 
trouble ; the very first person to whom we made it known 
took it off our hands : and with equal ease we found another 
dwelling at Stamford Hill, which I consider as a proof that 
our prayer was heard and answered in this serious step : the 
signs I had asked were granted. 

They removed to Stamford Hill on the 2nd of the 
Twelfth Month, 1845. As soon as they had settled in, 
John Yeardley became seriously indisposed with his old 
complaint, which ended in the jaundice. In the course 
of the spring and summer of 1846 he repaired with M. 
Y. to Bath, and afterwards to Harrowgate, to seek a 
restoration of his health. 



836 DEATH OF J. J. GURNEY. [1847. 

The waters of the last-named place proved, he says, very 
efficacious both to my beloved M. Y. and myself. My pre- 
cious dear, he continues, suffered much in her health through. 
the fatigue of nursing me during the winter. How my soul 
overflows with gratitude to my Heavenly Father that he has 
united me to such a partner, who takes more than a full share 
in all my sorrows ; and, thanks be unto our God, we have 
often to rejoice also together in Him ! 

On their return from Harrowgate they ■\dsited many 
of the meetings in London and the vicinity, — a service 
which they had always had in view, in looking towards 
a residence at Stamford Hill ; and from the Eleventh 
Month, 1846, to the First Month, 1847, they were 
occupied in a religious visit to the families of the 
members and attenders of Gracechurch-street Monthly 
Meeting, in which their service was very acceptable. 

The friends appointed to arrange the visits, says J. Y., have 
done so with willingness and efficiency, and we have, I believe, 
the help of their spirits. In passing from house to house, 
we are made sensible of our inability to render aid to others 
unassisted by the Spirit of our Divine Master. "Wherever 
we have gone we have been received with kindness and 
Christian cordiality ; and in thus being permitted to mingle 
our feelings with those who are bound up with us in religious 
profession, we feel sweet peace and comfort, and our hearts 
are filled with thankfulness to the Lord, that he has enabled 
us to do that which we believe he put into our hearts. 

They returned the minute which had been granted 
them for this service on the 6th of the First Month. 
Many who read this Memoir will remember how the 
tidings of the death of Joseph John Gurney, who sud- 
denly expired on the 5th, spread through the Society, 
and produced wherever it came an impression of sorrow- 



^T. 62.] DEATH OF J. J. GURNET AND I. STICKNEY. 837 

ful but heavenly solemnity. The event is referred to 
in the notice of this meeting which is contained in the 
Diary. 

The meeting for worship was particularly solemn. The 
spirit of our dear departed friend J. J. G. seemed present 
with us. The event had impressed our minds with the 
awful uncertainty of time. My dear M. Y. ministered to our 

comfort, and so did dear . I was constrained, under 

a sense that the Lord had withdrawn many laborers from 
his vineyard, to lift up a prayer for the remnant that is left, 
to crave prosperity for the blessed work of grace in the hearts 
of all present, and to ask for more devotedness to the Lord's 
cause. 

The next day they received intelligence of the decease 
of one of their Scarborough friends, whose dying words 
are worthy to be preserved in lasting remembrance. 

1 mo. 7. — On returning from meeting we found a letter 
informing us of the sudden decease of Isaac Stickney of 
Scarborough. When the doctor attempted to give him brandy 
in his sinking state, he said. Doctor, don't cloud my intellect ; 
if this be dying, I die in the arms of Jesus. These last words 
of my beloved and long-known friend are sweetly consoling 
to my spirit. 

In the Second Month of 1848, John Yeardley again 
prepared to go forth and preach the Gospel in several 
countries on the Continent of Europe. He was accom- 
panied by his beloved wife, partly in the character of a 
fellow-laborer, constrained by the force of Christian love 
to the same field of service, and partly as his com- 
panion and helper in countries where she did not 
otherwise feel herself called to labor. The course 
of their anticipated travel is described in the following 
extract from the Diary. They were unable, as it proved, 



838 PROSPECT OF REVISITIXG THE CONTINENT. [1S43. 

to obtain admission into tlic Hussian Empire ; and this 
part of the mission was accomplished by John Yeardley 
alone, and at a later period. 

1848. 2 mo. 8. — At our Monthly Meeting at Gracechurcli 
street, I proposed my concern to visit some parts of South 
Eussia, particularly the German colonies ; also some places 
in the Prussian and Austrian dominions, parts of Switzerland 
and France, particularly Ardeche, and a few places in Belgium, 
and to revisit parts of Germany. My precious M. Y. also 
was constrained in gospel love to tell her friends that she had 
long thought of a visit to France and Belgium ; and, if health 
permitted, should think it her religious duty to accompany 
me to South Kussia. We had the full unity of our friends, 
who expressed much sympathy and encouragement, to our 
great comfort. It is about twenty years since I fir.st thought 
seriously that I might have to visit the Crimea, and for thirty 
3^ears I have had a prospect of some parts of Bohemia. Truly 
the vision has been for an appointed time ; and if the period 
be now come, I trust it is the Lord's time, and that his 
presence may go with us. Llany have been the conflicts and 
deep the baptisms through which I have passed, before coming 
to a willingness to offer to do what I believe to be the will of 
my Divine Master. Feeble as are my powers, I desire they 
may be devoted to his cause for the remainder of my days ; 
and I do esteem it a great mercy to have arrived at a clear 
pointing in this important prospect. May the blessing of 
preservation rest upon the beloved partner of my sorrows and 
my joys, and on myself; and may He whom we desire to serve 
heal all our maladies of bodv and mind ! 

While their attention was thus turned to foreign lands, 
a storm was gathering in France which in the course 
of this month burst upon Europe wdth extraordinary 
violence, and overturned or endangered half the thrones 
on the Continent. This convulsed state of the European 
nations rendered it needful fcr them to wait a few 



MT. 62.] CERTIFICATES. 339 

months before they commenced their undertaking. In 
the Seventh Month, John Yeardley speaks of having 
obtained the further concurrence of the church, and of 
the feehngs which the immediate prospect of the jour- 
ney awakened in his mind. 

7 mo. 1. — At the Quarterly Meeting, and also at the Yearly 
Meeting of Ministers and Elders, our friends entered very 
fally into our proposed visit to the Continent. The expression 
of sympathy and full unity was abundant ; there was a strong 
evidence of the good presence of the Lord being near during 
the deliberations, which proved a strength and comfort to 
myself and my beloved partner. The needful certificates are 
now all in our possession, and are expressed in terms the 
most appropriate and encouraging. My mind is deeply hum- 
bled at the near approach of our departure, in the present 
state of affairs on the continent of Europe : but I feel a 
confiding hope in the divine power for protection and safe 
guidance. May the Lord Almighty give us strength and 
resignation to commit our lives into his hand, and to say, Thy 
will be done. Amen ! 

This series of travels was the last in which John and 
Martha Yeardley were to be engaged as joint-laborers 
fin their Lord's work. The health of the latter had been 
for several years seriously affected; and although she 
continued to take a deep interest in the spiritual con- 
dition of the countries they had visited before, and was 
enabled to the end to afford her husband the assistance 
of her strong sympathy and of her religious exercise of 
mind, the fatigue of constant travelling told more and 
more upon her enfeebled frame, and she did not long 
survive the accomplishment of this journey. John 
Y^eardley, less advanced in years, and possessing a hardy 
constitution, had not yet lost the fire of his earlier days. 
The same spring and impulse was still strong within him 



8-iO BELGIUM. [1848 

which had animated liim in former journeys, and which 
those who knew him in middle hfe will not fail to re- 
member. Some of these will have before them the men- 
tal image of his person and manner — the fixed resolution, 
the concentrated mind, the ardent and devoted spirit, 
which shone through his impressive countenance and his 
whole figure, when he was engaged in his Lord's work ; 
and perhaps also they may call to mind the very words 
of faithful counsel, or of encouragement, drawn from the 
well-spring of gospel sympathy, which fell from his lips. 

John and Martha Yeardley did not accomplish the 
extensive mission which now lay before them at one 
stroke, but in three stages, returning to England between 
each. The most prominent object in the first journey 
was Belgium ; in the second, the Rhine country ; in the 
third, they were called to sow seeds of Christian doc- 
trine in lands lying beyond the limit of any former 
travel — viz., in Silesia and Bohemia. 

This was the first time that the E-oman Cathohc 
country of Belgium had called forth the exercise of their 
Christian charity. They left London in the Seventh 
Month, and spent about three weeks in travelling through 
the country, resting chiefly at Ghent, Brussels, Charleroi 
and Spa. They were accompanied as far as Brussels by 
Kobert and Christine Alsop, and through the whole 
journey, by an ingenuous young man whom they had 
engaged to assist them, named Adolphe E-ochedieu. 
The religious opening w^liich awaited them at Brussels 
was very encouraging ; few incidents which arose in the 
course of their numerous journeys were of a more ani- 
mating character than the acquaintance which they made 
with the pastor Van Maasdyk and some of his flock. 
We give the narrative from J. Y.'s Diary and letters. 



JET. 62.] BRUSSELS — H. VAN MAASDYK. 341 

7 mo. 19. — H. Yan Maasdyk paid us a long visit this 
morning. He was educated in a convent in Belgium, and 
becoming a priest, he exercised the functions. which devolved 
upon him with much credit to himself, and to the satisfaction 
of his superiors, until the year 1836. He possessed a Bible 
in Latin, which he never read. He had the cure of a large 
parish, in which, down to the year above mentioned, there 
was not a single copy of the Scriptures in the Flemish tongue. 
About that time the colporteurs introduced the New Testa- 
ment in Flemish, and some copies of the Bible, which greatly 
excited the priests, and in particular the bishop, who said the 
translation was mutilated and falsified", and commanded that 
the members of the Catholic Church who had received copies, 
should either burn them themselves, or bring them to the 
cures for that purpose. Yan Maasdyk's parishioners accord- 
ingly brought their Bibles and Testaments (five copies) to 
him to be burned. He was zealous in the Eomish faith, and 
had preached violently against the distributors of the wicked 
books, as they were called; and he was about to fulfil the 
command to burn them, when suddenly he felt something in 
his heart which restrained him, and he thought, I will at 
least first examine the foundation of the bishop's charges. 
He took up his Latin Bible, and placing beside it the copy 
in Flemish, began with the charge of mutilation. He found 
it not at all abridged. He then went to the charge of 
falsification, and found the two copies to agree with slight 
variations here and there ; in fact, the modern translation 
proved to have been made from the Yulgate, which was the 
one in his possession. He read the denunciation of our 
Saviour, "Woe unto you Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites," 
and it struck him forcibly ; he felt that he must say, '' Woe is 
me, I am one of those who deceive the people." He read 
again, " There is one Mediator between God and man ;" and 
here again his conscience smote him : " Woe is me, I teach 
the people in their confessions that the saints make inter- 
cession." His sorrow was so deep, that he thought he could 
die a thousand deaths rather than continue a Eomish 
priest. 



342 BRUSSELS. [1848. 

Now his persecution began. He was beloved by bis flock, 
who entreated him not to leave them. After much conflict 
of mind, he wrote a decided letter to his bishop, who in the 
end gave him his dismissal. Still feeling himself called to 
proclaim the Gospel, he began to assemble the people in 
little companies, and to instruct them in the Scriptures. At 
the entreaty of his friends he settled at Brussels, where 
there was a wide field for labor amongst the poorest of the 
Eoman Catholics, who speak only Flemish. His congre- 
gation consisted at first of some fifteen or twenty persons ; 
but such was the success he met with, that they have been 
obliged four or five times in succession to seek a larger 
building, and his congregation now consists of 500. He Ls 
said to be one of the most powerful preachers in the Flemish 
language. It is delightful to be in his company ; his heart 
is filled with gratitude, and his eyes sparkle with joy, when 
he is with those who love the Saviour. Nothing is paid 
him by his congregation; he has a little property of his 
own, and sometimes receives a little help from the Adolphus 
Society. 

After a long conversation with him on the spiritual nature 
of worship, he took us to see some of his flock, with whom 
we had family sittings from house to house. This is exactly 
the class our hearts longed to visit ; thanks be to our Heav- 
enly Father who has thus opened our way. 

20th. — The meeting at Pastor Marzial's last evening was 
much larger than we had expected. Yan Maasdyk came in 
unexpectedly after the service which had been held at his 
dwelling, and with him a part of his flock. Many of the 
company were those who had renounced Eoman ism ; some 
of the young men interested us exceedingly. I had a deal 
of conversation with them as to their religious experience. 
There were several young Germans among them, who are 
residing in Brussels; with these I conversed in their own 
language, which was highly gratifying to them. As Pastor 
Marzial speaks English well, I clung to him in the hope of 
having him for an interpreter; but he encouraged me to 
speak as well as I could in French, as the natives like it 



^T. 62.] BRUSSELS. 343 

mucli better, and consider it a compliment to their language. 
This made me very low, it being a company of well-educated 
persons, and I asked Van Maasdyk what I should do. I 
would rather, he replied, hear ten words from your own 
mouth, than ten thousand through the mouth of another; 
we shall understand you, and what comes from the heart 
goes to the heart. This settled the question ; I gave myself 
up to the language, and was helped through. My M. Y. 
was favored in her communication. After a short address 
from M., I concluded the meeting with supplication, also in 
French. I do believe the Spirit was poured upon us from on 
high ; many hearts were touched, and tears flowed freely from 
many eyes. 

The Lord has indeed opened a wide door for us in this 
place; the dear people follow us from meeting to meeting, 
entreating us for an opportunity of the like kind in their 
own houses; but we must be watchful to see our own way. 
However, if the oil is staid, it is not for want of vessels, for 
what we have to communicate seems like seed cast into the 
prepared ground. May the Lord himself be their teacher, 
and carry on his own work ; for it is most assuredly his. To 
those who are spiritually minded, to hear of a society holding 
spiritual views, is like marrow to their bones. It is not so 
much what we are able to say to them, but our being as living 
witnesses to the truth which these awakened people feel in 
their own hearts. 

21st. — Attended a meeting of Yan Maasdyk's in the 
poorer district of Brussels ; about seventy to eighty persons 
present, consisting of converted Eomanists, seeking Protest- 
ants, and two awakened Jews. Two of the company were 
blind men, very pious, who gain their living by selling 
matches. Our friend read, explained, and applied the tenth 
chapter of John, in Flemish ; he also interpreted for me a few 
words, which I spoke in German. 

On their way to Charleroi, after passing through 
Mons, they traversed the great Belgium iron and coal 



844 CHARLEKOI. [1848. 

country, where the people speak a patois but understand 
French. Here they made a free distribution of the 
religious tracts they had taken with them, and found an 
able co-adjutor in their postillion. When he understood 
what their object was, he allowed few opportunities to 
pass by without putting these little messengers into the 
hands of his fellow-countrymen. 

At Charleroi, where they arrived on the 22d, they 
enjoyed Christian association of the most interesting 
kind, especially with Pastors Poinsot and Jaccard, and 
with Marzial, who followed them from Brussels. They 
seem to have found much more of the life of religion 
among the newly-awakened in Belgium than they had 
expected. 

We have, says J. Y.; good reason to believe that the burden 
we have so long felt for the inhabitants in some parts of 
Belgium was laid upon ns by our Divine Master, who is now 
pleased to make way for us to throw it off; thanks be to his 
great name. 

From Charleroi they went by Liege to Spa, where 
they procured a lodging in order to enjoy a period of 
needful rest. The tracts they gave away on the road 
were received with eagerness. Adolphe handed them 
out freely right and left, and when any one hesitated to 
take them, a significant nod from the postillion never 
failed to secure a ready reception. 

The country from ISTamur to Li^ge, writes John Yeardley, 
and particularly from Li^ge to Spa, is beautiful, the road 
running along the banks of the Meuse, amid wooded rocks. 
These are the works of my Heavenly Father, but I sigh 
after the workmanship of his hands, created after his own 
image. 



MT. 62.] SPA— BONN". 345 

Passing over several incidents of religious inter- 
course and labor, we select a circumstance which illus- 
trates the state of the country, and of their own feelings 
in relation to it. 

Under date of Spa, the 2nd of the Eighth Month, 
John Yeardley says : — 

My M. Y. made acquaintance with an interesting young 
woman in a shop, and gave her some of the Scripture Extracts. 
She came to us last evening, and remained some time con- 
versing on the Romish religion. She had never seen the 
Bible. When we asked her what was the nature of the mass, 
she said she did not understand it, but she attended it because 
others did. We gave her the Bible used by ourselves, having 
no other at our disposal. Her eyes sparkled with joy at the 
newly-acquired treasure. Her heart is touched by the Spirit 
of God, and I humbly hope her eyes will be enlightened to 
seek for strength independently of her blind guides. I never 
saw and felt more sensibly the awful account the priests will 
have to give for thus deceiving the people in the things which 
belong to their salvation. 

On the 3rd they quitted Belgium, and proceeded to 
Bonn. Here they had the pleasure of meeting their 
old friend, Charles Majors, formerly of Strasburg. In a 
walk which they took with him, they renewed the sweet 
intercourse of former days. 

8 mo. 5. — We took a walk with Majors and his family to 
the top of "Mount Calvary," and mounted a steep hill 
pitched with sharp stones, on which the poor Romanists go 
barefooted, repeating prayers at each station, supposed to be 
as many as the times when our Lord rested when bearing his 
cross from the gate of Jerusalem to Mount Calvary. Having 
descended, we sat down at the foot of a cross, and spoke of 
Him who bore our sins on the cross in his own body. A 
23 



846 MANNHEIM — STRASBURG. [1834. 

desire was felt and expressed that the little company might 
ever dwell near to Ilim who died on the cross. 

At Mannheim, John Yeardley writes : — 

I took a walk in the public gardens, opposite the Hotel de 
I'Europe, where we lodge. All very quiet without, and I felt 
peaceful within myself, reading a chapter and sitting alone. 
The Spirit of my Divine Master was near, and I felt assured 
that there was something in this place with which we could 
unite. 

They found here a little company, who met together 
without any regular pastor. 

They gave us, says John Yeardley, a cordial reception, and 
their countenances indicated that they had been with Jesus ; 
and, although scattered as sheep among wolves, they appeared 
to belong to the fold of the true Shepherd. After a few family 
calls, we were conducted to the house of a pious widow, where 
the meetings were usually held. As we were in haste, these 
Christian people kindly appointed a meeting for worship, to 
be held the same evening, to receive our visit, which, through 
divine mercy, proved like a refreshing brook by the way : the 
Saviour's presence being over us, his doctrine dropped like 
dew on the thirsty ground.* 

At Strasburg they found Pastor Ehrmann, and 
several other pious persons whom they had known in 
1833, with whom and with some others they had much 
conversation on religious subjects, and were called upon 
to explain the views held by Friends, particularly on 
marriage, education, and the care of the poor. 

Before parting, says John Yeardley, M. Passavant asked 
for silence, and we had a sweet time of religious com- 
munion, in which consolation and encouragement were 

* See The Widow's Mite, No. 5 of J. Y.'s Series of Tracts. 



^T. 62.] BASLE. 347 

offered, and tlianks rendered for tlie favor of being per- 
mitted to meet together, and for the favor of the Divine 
Presence. 

Basle was their next halting-place. A letter written 
by Martha Yeardley from this city, contains some notice 
of the social and religious life by which their tarriance 
in foreign cities was characterised, and of her own pe- 
culiar position as a gospel minister. 

The pious Spittler, she says, has just been with us ; he is 
still full of faith and good works. M. L., whom we knew as 
a nice girl at Corfu, is married to a serious merchant of this 
place ; a sister of 0. Majors' wife at Bonn, with her husband, 
also resides here ; and we have fixed to take tea with them 
and some of their friends to-morrow evening. My J. Y. is 
gone with a converted Jew, Spittler, and one who has been a 
missionary to Jerusalem, to a lecture this afternoon, where it 
is probable he may have an opportunity of speaking to those 
assembled. As it is to be all Grerman, I excused myself in 
order to rest and continue my letter. I have deeply felt on 
this journey, as on others, that it is dif&cult for females to 
make their way as gospel ministers ; we have always found 
it tolerated, but I am always sensible of a prejudice against 
it. On some occasions my J. Y. has explained our views on 
this important subject. 

16th. — Yesterday we went to see a remarkably interesting 
institution for missionaries, on the top of a high mountain, 
called Chrischona Berg. It was established by Spittler, and, 
is well worth the trouble of a little fatigue in getting to it. 
Twelve young men of the poorer class, who have offered 
themselves from a sense of duty to become missionaries, are 
there taught various languages, and retained until some field 
of labor opens for them to which they feel bound. It is 
also a working institution ; they are taught various trades, in 
order that when they go out they may earn their living. 
After viewing the premises and hearing a lesson in Arabic, 
we saw the pupils assembled in the schoolroom. Instead of 



348 BERNE. [1848. 

a hymn in English, which they had learned, we asked for a 
little silence, which was felt to be precious. My J. Y. then 
addressed them in German, and was much helped. The 
superintendent, a very interesting man, was in England for 
some time; and in consequence of a hurt received on the 
head in Malta, was sent to the Retreat at York, where he 
became acquainted with several Friends, Samuel Take in 
particular. Under the gentle treatment there he recovered, 
but he lost his wife and one child at York, and has left two 
others in England. I felt much for him, and ventured to 
ofier him a little consolation, and also to express my interest 
for the institution, which Spittler desired him to repeat in 
German. — {Letter to Mary Tylor, 8 mo. 13.) 

Whilst at Basle they visited Pastor Lindel, an old 
friend of theirs. He related to them that he had been 
some time before applied to, to join the Evangelical 
Alliance. " I told them," he said, " we have got further 
than you have. In looking over your rules, I observe 
there is a class of Christians in England whom you 
exclude ; and we can receive them. Our bond of union 
extends much beyond yours ; it embraces, without any 
distinction, all who love the Lord Jesus Christ." 

From Basle they went to Berne and Neufchatel. 
Their visit to these favorite spots was, as at former 
times, accompanied by a good measure of the blessing 
of the gospel of Christ. 

ISth. Berne. — Many of our former friends having heard 
of our arrival, came this morning to our inn; and having 
called together a few other serious persons, we had a precious 
meeting. They have suffered much since our last visit ; our 
hearts were dipped into sympathy for them, and our tears 
were mingled together. The Lord's presence was over us, 
and he caused the word of consolation, exhortation, and sup- 
plication to flow freely. Some precious souls whom we have 



MT. 62.] NEUFCHATEL. - 349 

known in this place have been taken to their rest since we 
last saw them. Soon shall we also be inquired after and not 
found ! Lord, grant that we may be prepared to meet thee 
at thy coming ! 

20th. Neufchdtel. First-day. — The meeting was held in a 
saloon at our hotel, ( Des A Ipes). The room was q uite crowded ; 
we were surprised to see them continue to come in, by twos 
and threes together, at so short a notice. The unhallowed 
thought arose, Where shall we find bread to feed this multi- 
tude ? But, thanks to Him who is the Bread of Life, he dis- 
pensed food to the refreshing of our souls. My M. Y. suppli- 
cated for us, and the gospel-word flowed freely : the meeting 
closed with thanksgiving by me. 

Sad reflections on the political and religious state of 
the country oppressed their minds while travelling 
through Switzerland. 

21st. — In all the times we have visited Neufchatel, I never 
saw it look more beautiful. But the place was dull, and a 
depressed feeling manifested the life of religion to be want- 
ing. Switzerland has suffered through the recent changes 
in the governments : infidelity is sorrowfully increasing. An 
abundant harvest has been gathered into the barns, and 
Nature everywhere smiles on ungrateful man. Woe to the 
nations when the ungodly bear rule ! Persecution still rages 
in the Canton de Vaud. 

Speaking of the great advantage which an acquaint- 
ance with the French and German languages aflforded 
them, John Yeardley observes : — 

How I long that some of our dear young friends in England 
might give up their minds and a portion of their time to the 
acquisition of these languages — and, above all, give up their 
hearts to be prepared for the Lord's work ! How wide is the 
field of labor ! 



350 GRENOBLE. [1848. 

From Neufchfitel they proceeded to Geneva, and 
thence to Grenoble. Here they were received in the 
most open-hearted manner by the Protestant minister, 
Amand ; but their feehngs were severely tried by the 
martial display which the city presented. 

2%th. — On arriving at Grenoble, we inquired the name of 
the Protestant minister, and called on him without loss of 
time. So soon as he understood the object of our journey, 
he offered us his chapel for a meeting; or, if it would be 
more agreeable to us, he would convoke a meeting in the 
schoolroom for to-morrow evening with a number of persons 
who usually meet there. We accepted the latter proposal. 
It is comforting to find such a brother in the gospel ; but 
O for the morrow ! how my heart fails me for fear ! Lord, 
help us, and give us to trust in thee 1 

27^/i. — This day is a day of suffering. The soldiers, the 
drums, the trumpets, with the shouting and dancing of the 
people, is enough to sink the heart of the reflectiDg Christian 
beyond hope, had he not a refuge in retirement before the 
Lord. The whole course of the military system tends to evil, 
and the corruption of manners. 

The meeting was well attended, and they were 
thankful in being enabled to mingle in spirit with a 
company of sincere and pious Christians. The pastor 
called on them the next day. He had succeeded their 
good friend Bonifas, spoken of in the journey of 1843. 
Conversing with him on points on which Christians 
may differ, he observed, " The Church of Christ is Hke 
a great house built on a rock. There are different 
apartments for the various classes of Christians; but 
they are in the same house, and on the same rock, 
Christ." 

After attending to some other gospel-service at 
Grenoble, they resumed their journey, held meetings 



^T. 62.] PRIVAS — VALS. . 851 

in Valence and the neighborhood, and crossing the 
Rhone, entered Ardeche. A meeting which they held 
at Privas was an occasion of remarkable stillness and 
solemnity. 

81s/. — There was a room filled with serious persons, who 
immediately settled into silence like a Friends' meeting: 
indeed, I wish our meetings in England were always times of 
as much good feeling. A chapter, the second of the Acts, 
was read ; after which I supplicated, and my M. Y. spoke in 
testimony, as well as myself. M. Y. closed the opportunity 
in supplication. 

They held another meeting at Vals, a village in the 
Cevennes mountains, near the town of Aubenas. Lindley 
Murray Hoag, from America, had had a meeting there 
not long before. There was no resident pastor, and the 
schoolmaster called on John and Martha Yeardley, and 
informed them that when no one was present to preach, 
the congregation were accustomed to read a sermon, 
the liturgy, and prayers. They explained to him their 
objection to written sermons, and he appeared to be 
sensible of the inconsistency of them with true gospel 
ministry, but alleged that the people would not be 
satisfied without having the greater part of the time 
occupied with " service." As they could not undertake 
that this should be the case, it was agreed that they 
should be informed when the usual engagements were 
concluded, and that the schoolmaster should give notice 
of their intention to hold a religious meeting. In the 
morning (First-day), unexpectedly, a young man arrived, 
who came to see if he could be established in the place 
as pastor, and the schoolmaster introduced him to 
J. and M. Y. He raised no objection to their speaking 



352 VALS. [1848. 

after the service, but the sermon which he preached, as 
they afterwards found, was on the politics of the day, 
and when it was concluded, they were still kept waiting 
during a conference which the consistory had with him. 
This delay, and their persuasion that the members of 
the consistory were not the men to sympathise with them 
in their religious exercise, was exceedingly proving to 
faith, and they entered the chapel under a pressure of 
mind almost beyond utterance. After a pause John 
Yeardley rose and spoke in French, in which he felt 
himself to be much helped; an influence superior to 
words was spread abroad, hfting up the messengers 
above the fear of man. Martha Yeardley followed, 
inviting the people to come under the teaching of the 
Holy Spirit, through faith in Christ Jesus, and especially 
addressing herself to the mothers. 
They remained at Vals a week. 



Our lodging, says J. Y., is situated amid scenery the 
most romantic : high-planted rocks, deep glens, and purling 
streams. For reading and writing we spend much time on a 
spacious open gallery, protected from the penetrating rays of 
the sun by a roof ; and in the interstices are creepers, vines, 
and flowers, delightful and airy. 

llih. — This has been a trying week. I have been low in 
mind and suffered much in body, but, thanks to a merciful 
God, I am restored to comparative health, and my beloved 
one is better. The peasants who inhabit the mountains can 
only come to the town on First-days ; and as they live dis- 
persed in places almost inaccessible, we concluded to wait 
over another First-day to see some of them at Yals. We 
had them invited to the schoolroom. A small number only 
assembled, but it was a feeling time: I hope a few were 
instructed, and we were satisfied in having done what we 
coukl. 



.ST. 62.] NISMES. 853 

From Vals John and Martha Yeardley proceeded to 
Nismes, where they had some interesting ser\ice, both 
within and beyond the Httle Society of their fellow- 
professors. The account given by J. Y. of the way in 
which one of their evenings was spent may be tran- 
scribed. 

loth. — The wife of De Haute ville came to in\'ite us to 
spend the evening with a few religious friends, who met at 
her house for reading the Bible. We had known the pious 
young woman years before, and were most easy to accept the 
invitation. The little company mostly knelt down, and 
waited some time in silence ; and then a young man offered a 
short and sweet prayer. The fourth chapter of the Hebrews 
was then read, and nearly all present offered a sentiment on 
the subject, in meekness and in love, though they did not 
agree in their interpretation. They spoke one after the other, 
until all seemed tired ; looking earnestly at me, as wondering 
what I would say, not having spoken on the question. At 
length one of the company asked my opinion. I felt freedom 
at once to say I found no difficulty in the matter ; I could 
well understand the text, but I could not understand their 
interpretation of it. This remark surprised them, and raised 
an air of pleasantness on every countenance. My remarks 
on the passage closed the subject, and I think they were 
accorded with in the general. Stillness was then had, and 
myself and dear M. Y. spoke to the company. There was 
a precious feeling, and we were glad in not having missed 
uniting with such spirits in passing an hour or two in- 
structively together. 

The service which remained for them to do before 
returning to England consisted chiefly of religious labor 
amongst the Friends of Congenies and the vicinity, and 
in printing and distributing a large number of tracts. 
They found the Society of Friends in a drooping con- 



S54 RETURN TO LONDON. [1848. 

dition as to spiritual things, and in going round to 
their little meetings, Martha Yeardley felt it to be her 
last visit, and she labored to clear her conscience 
towards those among whom she had long been con- 
versant, and for whose eternal welfare she felt deeply 
concerned. 

They returned to London on the 20th of the Tenth 
Month. 



CHAPTER XVII. 

COMPLETION" OP THE FIFTH CONTINENTAL JOUENEY. 

1849-50. ^ 

The disorganized state of Germany presented a 
serious obstacle to John and Martha Yeardley's re- 
suming their labors on the Continent. 

From John Yeardley to John Kitching. 

Scarborougli, 6 mo. 23, 1849. 

We spent two days at Malton with our dear friends Ann 
and Esther Priestman, in their dehghtful new abode on the 
bank of the river : we were comforted in being at meeting 
with them on First-day. On Second-day we came to Scar- 
borougb, and soon procured two rooms near our own former 
residence. The sea air and exercise are beneficial to the 
health of my M. Y. and myself. Scarborough is certainly a 
most delightful place. The changes in the little society here 
are great : we miss many whom we knew and loved when we 
were resident here. It feels pleasant, though mournful, once 
more to mingle our sympathies with the few Friends who are 
left. 

We sometimes sigh under the weight of our burden on 
account of poor Germany, from which land the accounts 
continue unsatisfactory. Mannheim, where we had such a 
sweet little meeting with a few pious persons last year, is 
now being bombarded ; also in several other parts of the 
Rhine the insurrection is not yet subdued. Our friend Dr. 
Murray returned on Second-day last from a tour through 
part of France, Belgium and the Rhine. He told us he was 
obliged to return after having proceeded as far as Mayence, 
as the steamers were interrupted in their course beyond that 

(355) 



856 MUHLHEIM. [1849. 

place, soutli. This is tlie very line which we had thought to 
pursue ; we cannot tell how soon an alteration may suddenly 
take place for the better. We must wait in patience, faith 
and hope. 

The political horizon soon became clearer, and they 
resumed their journey on the 2nd of the Eighth Month. 
They again passed through Belgium, stopping at several 
places, and distributing a large number of religious 
tracts. 

On reaching Elberfeld they were received in a very 
cordial manner by R. Hockelmann, and they held a 
satisfactory meeting in that city with a company of 
serious persons, originally Roman Catholics, who had at 
first followed Ronge, but afterwards separated from him. 
John Yeardley says of them : 

They are rejected by the Lutheran and Reformed Churches. 
They have adopted the name of German Catholics to attract 
the Romanists to them. There is real life of religion with 
some of them; perhaps with still a little obscurity on some 
important points of doctrine. Light does not always shine 
clearly all at once ; nor is it always obeyed, so as to be 
received in its fulness. 

Still more interesting was a meeting they had at 
Miihlheim on the Ruhr, where, it will be remembered, 
they found an open door for their ministry on their first 
continental journey. We give the narrative in John 
Yeardley's words: — 

8 mo. 17. — On our arrival at Miihlheim we received a 
visit from the three pastors resident here and in the neigh- 
borhood, along with Pastor Bochart, from Schaffhausen, 
whom we had known some years before. One of them, 
Schultz, immediately asked me if we were not the parties 
who had held a meeting in a school-room in this place 
twenty-four years ago. We entered very fully into the 



^T. 63.] MUHLHEIM. 857 

awakening that had taken place in this neighborhood. The 
spiritual seed of Tersteegen has never died out ; and they 
told us of a person, Miihlenbeck, in Sarn, who represents 
those who are acquainted with the interior life. The young- 
est minister said directly, I will fetch him. In an hour's 
time he came again, accompanied by a middle-aged man, much 
like a good old Friend. He recollected us again, and spoke 
of our meeting. When we went to see him the next day in 
the village, he took us to the house in which he had lived in 
1825, and placing me in the centre of the room said, There 
stood thou twenty-four years ago, and preached the gospel in 
this room ; there sat thy dear wife and her friend, with the 
young man who interpreted for her. 

They soon set about making a meeting for us, which is to 
be held this evening in a large room in the house of one of 
the brethren. 0, my Saviour, strengthen us for this evening's 
work, and forsake us not in the time of need ! 

ISth. — The meeting last evening was got well over. There 
were two rooms filled with men and a few women; their 
minds seemed sweetly centred on the Source of good. A 
precious silence prevailed, and I was enabled to address them 
in Grerman from Acts xi. 23 : — " When Barnabas was come 
to Antioch and had seen the grace of God, he was glad and 
exhorted them all that with purpose of heart they would 
cleave unto the Lord." The nature of silent worship was 
also dwelt upon, and freedom from sin, through repentance 
and faith in Christ. My M. Y. spoke a few words in German, 
and I supplicated in the same language. Many hearts 
are prepared to receive the doctrine of the influence and 
guidance of the. Holy Spirit : it seemed like marrow to their 
bones. 

After the meeting some came to our inn, and remained 
till 10 o'clock. They seemed as if they could not part from 
us. We spoke of our ministry, missionary journeys, baptism 
and the Supper, in which we seemed to be one in sentiment 
and heart. Our short tarriance here has excited curiosity to 
know who and what we are, and a great desire for books; 
and a liberal supply has been furnished them. Those tracts 



358 ELBERFELD. [1849. 

on our religious principles are just the food many are pre- 
pared to receive. 

In coming this morning from Miihlheim to Elberfeld, my 
heart was tendered under a sense of the Lord's mercies. I 
feel poor and unworthy, but it is impressed on my heart from 
day to day that my little remaining strength and my few 
uncertain remaining days must be devoted to my Great 
Master's cause. I am thankful that we have not through 
discouragement been deterred from entering on this part of 
our religious service ; for, after all we have passed through 
on the occasion, I do believe the present time is seasonable. — 
{Diary and Letter) 

Before leaving the neighborhood, they had a second 
meeting at Elberfeld, the holding of which was endan- 
gered by the animosity which prevailed between the 
different religious parties. After the place and hour 
were advertized, it appeared the room would be required 
for a missionary meeting. The president of the mis- 
sionary society was so unfriendly to those who associated 
with John and Martha Yeardley, that he not only 
refused to let them have the room, but refused also to 
let notice be given at his meeting of the alteration in 
time and place which it was needful to make in theirs. 
They therefore hastily arranged their meeting for an- 
other day, and the alteration was announced in the daily 
newspaper. The disappointment proved, in the end, to 
be a subject for thankfulness on their parts ; for just 
before the hour of assembly of the missionary society, 
an alarming fire broke out, and threw the whole town 
into commotion ; and the missionary meeting was obliged 
to disperse as soon as the opening hymn had been sung. 

The Friends' meeting, which took place two days 
afterwards, was held in quiet. John Yeardley preached 
on a subject which seems to have engaged his mind 



^T. 63.] BONN. 359 

ever since he had entered the place, — viz., the Fall of 
Man. While in Elberfeld he printed a tract on this 
subject; and in a conversation which he and Martha 
Yeardley had with a doctor from Charleroi, the 
doctor told them it was the very thing which was 
wanted, being exactly adapted to the condition of the 
numerous sceptics in that part, of whom he had once 
been one. 

Their sojourn at Bonn, where they arrived on the 
31st of the Eighth Month, was exceedingly cordial to 
their religious feelings. The persons with whom they 
were the most intimately united were two ladies, 
Alexandrine Mackeldey and the Countess Stynum ; the 
latter of whom had come to know the way of salvation 
during a visit to England. J. Y. describes the opening 
for ser\dce which they found in this city, in a letter to 
Josiah Forster: — 

This morning, the 1st of the Ninth Month, we received an 
early visit from a pious young woman, interior. On her 
entering the room we felt the Spirit of Jesus was near. As 
soon as we discovered the piety of her mind, and her sweet 
and open disposition, I said to her : Now, tell us who there 
are in this place who are really spiritually-minded persons. 
She said, I will ; and instantly took the pen, and put down 
about six or seven names, among which was the name of the 
Countess Stynum. This lady, said she, I am sure, will be 
rejoiced to see you ; she is too weakly to leave her house, but 
I am going to her and will tell her you are here. 

Our kind helper soon returned with the expression of a 
warm desire from the Countess that we would remain to- 
morrow and hold a meeting in her saloon in the evening, 
and invite any of our acquaintance, and she would give notice 
to her own friends. There was so evidently a pointing of the 
Great Master's finger in this matter, that we were at once 
constrained to accept the invitation. 



360 BONN. [1849. 

9 mo. 3. — A little before six o'clock last evening the Count- 
ess sent for us to take coffee with her, to have an hour of 
our company before the meeting. She gave us a hearty re- 
ception, and in such Christian simplicity, that we soon felt at 
perfect ease in her company. She has a well-informed and 
enlightened mind and a strong understanding, and lives, I 
believe, in the fear of the Lord. She asked many questions 
about the religious sects in England, as to the state of real 
piety, their forms, baptism, &c. Then she came to our own 
Society. I was in poor plight for answering questions ; how- 
ever, I explained the spiritual view we took of those subjects, 
and asked permission to send her books, in the reception of 
which she seemed to promise herself much gratification. 

Her commodious and elegant saloon was conveniently 
seated and pretty well filled. Our manner of worship was 
quite new to every one present. We first explained it pri- 
vately to the countess, who immediately comprehended our 
view ; there was no wish at all shown to sing or read ; a pre- 
cious solemnity prevailed, and I was enabled to speak, in 
German, first on the nature of our silent worship, then on 
what [else] rested on my mind. The young woman above- 
mentioned, A. Mackeldey, interpreted for my dear M. Y., 
who, I thought, had the best service ; and she did it so well 
and so seriously that the right unction seemed to be preserved, 
and prevailed over us ; and after a supplication in German we 
parted under a very precious solemnity. 

A. M. said afterwards that she had been instructed by what 
she had heard, and was prepared to appreciate the value of 
silence. She observed, I think it a marked favor of Provi- 
dence that you should have come at the present perplexing 
time, to comfort and confirm tha faith of some in this place, 
and of me in particular. 

Speaking of those with whom they had intercourse in 
this city, John Yeardley says : — 

9 mo. 2. — Should it be the will of our Heavenly Father, 
I hope we may be permitted to see those precious souls again, 



iET. 63.] • KREUZXACH. 361 

and water the seed the Great Husbandman has deposited in 
their hearts. I consider such little companies, or individuals, 
as a little leaven working silentl}^ in a corrupt mass. 

I never remember, he writes the next day, to have had 
more satisfaction in distributing Friends' books, or having 
intercourse with pious persons, than thus far on the present 
journey. The thinking part of the people, under the tossing 
of the present moment, are really thirsting for food more 
spiritual than they have hitherto received. 

At Neuwied they were informed that the Inspirii'ten 
whom they saw there twenty-four years before, had, 
with the exception of a few families, emigrated to 
America, and that those whom they visited at Berlenburg 
had done the same. 

From Neuwied they went to Kreuznach. This was 
a place to which they had no thought of going when 
they left England ; indeed, John Yeardley, though 
passing near it on former journeys, was not aware of its 
existence! But when they were at Elberfeld, a swarthy 
youth from Cape Town, an inmate of the Mission-house 
at Barmen, mentioned to them that four of his fellow- 
countrymen had been for a time at Kreuznach. On 
hearing this place named, it occurred to J. Y. that it 
would be well for them to take it in their way. They 
had good reason to believe, before they left the place, 
that it was the Lord who had directed their steps thither, 
and that he had prepared the hearts of some who dwelt 
there to receive them. John Yeardley thus relates what 
occurred : — 

9 mo, 6. — On our sending to a tailor named Ott, he could 
not come to us by reason of bodily infirmity ; but on paying 
him a visit I found him a meek and spiritual man. He under- 
took to speak with some others of the same way of thinking, 

to meet us in our hotel at 7 o'clock. On making it known 
24 



Q 



62 KREuzxAcn. [1849. 



he found more were desirous of coming than he had expected ; 
a number of young people asked permission to be present, so 
that our commodious saloon was pretty well filled. We read 
the fourth chapter of John, and then I addressed the company 
with great freedom ; my M. Y. also spoke in German, and 
was well understood. Friend Ott said, "You may travel 
about, and think your journey in gs and labors will do but 
little good, but they will be blest far beyond what you may 
expect. What you have said this evening has gone to my 
heart. If we had only some one to whom we could look in 
holding meetings, we should grow." He was reminded of 
Him, the Head of his church, to whom we must all look. Of 
this he was fully aware, but said, as they were mostly of the 
lower class, they had no room, and the pastors did not en- 
courage such meetings. 

lili. — This morning our new-made friend accompanied us 
to three of the villages, to visit several of his friends. We 
were pleased with the simplicity and real Christian feeling 
with which they received us. We arranged for a meeting in 
one of these places for First-day afternoon, and one with our 
Kreuznach friends in the evening. My poor soul can only 
say, Lord, help I* 

* The visits of J. and M. Y. to Kreuznacli, in this journey, form the 
subject of No. 8 of John Yeardley's Series of Tracts, The German Fanner 
become Preacher. We extract from it the following more particular de- 
scription of their visit to the three villages mentioned in the text : — 

"We started on a bright, hot sunny morning; and a pleasant drive, 
through the vines and . under the agreeable shado of double rows of 
fruit trees, brought us to the place of destination. At the first farm- 
house where we alighted the people were busy at their out-door work, 
which, however, on hearing of the arrival of strangers, they soon left, 
and came to welcome the travellers with outstretched hand and smiling 
countenances. They soon gave proof of their hospitality, by ordering 
us to be served with fruit, milk, and butter-bread, nor were we allowed 
to depart before partaking of a cup of coffee. The master of the house 
was an intelligent, pious man, and gave us much information as to the 
state of religion among the people. After wending our way from vil- 
lage to village and from house to house, we returned to our lodgings, 
favorably impressed with the piety and apparent sincerity of this simple- 
hearted people." 



MT. 63.] CREUZNACH. 363 

8th. — Called ao^ain on J. A. Ott, and found him looking- 
very serious. He told me lie had read further in the books 
we left with him, and the more he saw, the more conviction 
was brought into his mind that what they unfolded was the 
truth ; and that he believed it his duty thoroughly to weigh 
the matter, and then speak with a few of those who united 
with him, to see whether they could unite in holding a 
meeting after our manner, but that it was a serious matter, 
and they required time to mature it. We were quite of his 
mind in this respect ; at the same time I believe if they had 
strength to meet together it would be advantageous. 

10th. — Yesterday we met the little company in Horweiler, 
a room well filled with souls thirsting, I believe, for spiritual 
food. " All thy children shall be taught of the Lord," was 
much dwelt upon by me. My dear M. Y. was wonderfully 
helped in German. It was a precious season ; the presence of 
the Lord was near, uniting our hearts in him. 

At 7 o'clock we had the meeting in our room. It was not 
so lively as the one in the country ; but we can thankfully 
acknowledge the Great Master was near to help in the needful 
time. It was a day of great exercise of body and mind. Our 
friend Ott accompanied us throughout the day's labor, and I 
felt the help of his spirit. 

There are several villages around Kreuznach (some of 
which we have visited), where dwell a good many spiritually- 
minded people, who meet together for improvement. We 
have just received a sweet visit from Adam Tiegel of 
Schwabenheim, who is come to have a little talk with us. He 
seems to be the first who was awakened in 1805, and was made 
the means of awakeninor others, who now hold meetins^s in an 
old monastery.* 

Passing on to Mannheim, they saw the effects of the 
revolution in Baden; the fine stone bridge over the, 
E-hine had been blown up, and not yet replaced. The 

* The history of this worthy man is given in the Tract mentioned in 
the last note, TTie German Farmer, Sco. 



364 DEATH OF ELIZABETH DUDLEY. [1849. 

handflil of pious persons with whom they had met in 
1848 had been preserved in the midst of the danger; 
and their meetings had been maintained and were in- 
creased m numbers. One of these, a widow, told them 
that, during the bombardment of the city, a cannon-ball 
had entered her house, and had passed by her bedside 
when her children were in the room, and also that a 
shell had burst before her door ; but on neither occasion 
were any of the family hurt.* 

At Stuttgardt they received the affecting intelligence 
of the decease of Elizabeth Dudley, who died of cholera 
on the 6th of the Ninth Month. The removal of this, 
one of her earliest and dearest friends, was a severe 
stroke to Martha Yeardley, and sensibly affected her 
bodily health. In a letter to her sisters, of the 14th of 
the Ninth Month, she thus gives vent to her feelings : — 

It would not be possible to set forth in words what we have 
felt from the afiecting intelligence contained in dear R.'s 
letter. What shall we do but seek ability at the Divine foot- 
stool to bow in humble resignation to this afflictive dispensa- 
tion ? I have had for some time a strong impression that 
something of this kind awaited us in our immediate circle ; 
and it was with a trembling hand that I opened the letters. 
The tie which bound me to her, and which is now perhaps for 
a very short time broken, as far as relates to earthly things, 
was sealed upon my heart by a communion of more than 
forty-eight years, and includes all the various changes of an 
eventful life, during which my best feelings were ever 
cherished and encouraged, both by example and precept, and 
by the tender est affection. But I must not dwell upon this 
subject, lest I become unfitted for the duties which our 
present engagement daily calls for. 

* See John Yeardley's Tract, No. 5, The Widow^s Mite cast into the 

Heavenly Treasury. 



^T. 63.] STUTTGARDT. 365 

To these afflictive tidings was added some dis- 
couragement in respect to their proposed journey to 
Russia. The Httle hope that John Yeardley still enter- 
tained of being allowed to cross the Eussian frontier 
was extinguished by the information he received at 
Stuttgardt. A large number of the German emigrants 
who settled in the South Russian colonies were from 
the neighborhood of this city, and John Yeardley 
inquired of some of their ministers, who had served 
in the colonies, how far the country was likely to be 
accessible to a foreigner going thither to preach the 
gospel. The information he received was unfavorable, 
and his endeavors to obtain in this city the signa- 
ture of the Russian ambassador to his passport were 
fruitless. 

They had, however, something to console them under 
these trials. 

In all our former travels in Germany, says J. Y., we never 
experienced such an open door and spirit of inquiry among 
the people as in the present journey. It is said that there is 
scarcely a village in all Wurtemberg where meetings for 
worship are not held in private houses. The late revolu- 
tionists declare vengeance against these people, the pietists, 
as they call them, and that if the war breaks out again, 
they are to be the first to be cut off. But the present 
king gives them their liberty and his protection, and has 
openly said the pietists have saved his country. — {Letter of 
9 mo. 15.) 

Before they left Stuttgardt they were refreshed by a 
social evening's recreation, one of those occasions of the 
familiar intercourse of friendship, under the canopy of 
divine love, in which John Yeardley especially de- 
lighted. 



S6Q KORNTHAL. [1849. 

17lh. — Our two young friends, Ecuclilin, came to conduct 
us to their garden among the vine-hills in the environs of the 
town. We there met their precious mother, and were joined 
by a good many interior ones, who had been invited to meet 
us. We had a precious little meeting in the arbor, after 
which we gave them some account of the religious movement 
ia Belgium, &c., which pleased them much. We afterwards 
partook of fruit, biscuits, and wine. I shall reckon this 
garden visit among the happy moments of my life, because 
the presence of the Most High was with us. 

On the 18th they went to Kornthal to visit the in- 
teresting society in that place. Hoifmann's widow, who 
seems to have returned from Basle after the death of her 
husband, was there, but so aged and infirm as to be 
confined to the house. The inmates of the establish- 
ment were therefore convened in some apartments 
adjoining her chamber, so that she could partake in the 
spiritual repast. Their kind friend Heuchlin had pre- 
pared the way for them ; and when the assembly took 
their seats, a solemn silence ensued. John Yeardley 
and " Brother " Koine addressed the meeting, and the 
former supplicated at the conclusion. On their way 
back to Stuttgardt, Madame Reuchlin interrogated 
them on the doctrine of election, and was rejoiced 
to hear from them their full behef in the universality 
of the grace of God; and as they communicated to 
one another their convictions respecting this great 
truth, their spirits were knit together in the love of the 
gospel. 

From another pious person in this city, John Yeardley 
received a word of timely encouragement. He was 
anxious about their going into Bohemia, not having, as 
he thought, a sufficiently clear guidance to determine 
his course. 



^T. 63.] KREUZXACH. 367 

9 mo. 19. — A very acceptable visit from a worthy brother, 
Weiz. He introduced himself and commenced speaking on 
the guidance and consolations of the Holy Spirit, and spoke 
of his own experience as though, he had known the thoughts 
of my heart. I have, said he, sometimes earnestly prayed to 
the Lord for direction what way to take, and have received 
no intimation ; all has been dark within ; I knew not whethei 
to go right or left, and I have been compelled to go forward. 
I have then said, Lord, thou knowest my heart, be pleased to 
prosper my way ; I leave the consequence to thee. 

The conclusion to which they came in regard to 
Bohemia was, not to attempt the journey at that time, 
but to return to England for the winter, and leave the 
remoter districts of the circuit which they had in 
prospect till another year. They therefore returned 
by Heilbronn to Kreuznach, where they again found 
many opportunities of instructing and strengthening 
such as had made some progress in the Christian 
course. 

26^A. — This evening had about a dozen serious persons to 
tea. After a long conversation, we read a chapter, and 
made some remarks : there was also a time of silence, with 
supplication. 

10 mo. 1. First-day. — This afternoon we attended a meeting 
at Schwabenheim, a few miles from here. ISTotice had been 
given of our intention to be present, and the company was 
consequently larger than usual. They meet in an old convent, 
the other end of which forms the parish place of worship. 
After the singing and a short prayer, the good old A. Tiegel 
read a chapter in the Kew Testament, and was proceeding 
to make some remarks upon it, when I stopped liim, feeling 
something on my mind to say to the people. I was led 
to recommend a patient waiting upon God for the renewed 
help of his Spirit, and also to speak on the progress of the 
Gospel Church from Isaiah ii. 2, 3, &c. My M. Y. spoke a 



868 KREUZNACH. [1849. 

little in German on the " still small voice," and the teaching 
of the Spirit. I did not in this instance feel quite easy 
to put aside the whole of their service. After meeting 
we had coffee with Tiegel, and took back in our carriage 
a few of our Kreuznach friends who had walked to the 
meeting."^" 

4:01. — Yesterday evening we had a few friends with us two 
hours, by appointment, to speak concerning the rules, &;c., 
of our Society. Many questions were asked, and a pretty 
detailed account given by us, as well as we were able. The 
company were all satisfied, and wished to come again. 

Qth. — To-day we received a visit from a young English lady. 
She came to ask how we understood the passages in Paul's 
Epistles forbidding women to speak in the church. We soon 
gave her an answer, and handled the matter so fully that she 
was quieted down before she left, little thinking, as she 
acknowledged, that so much could be said in defence of the 
practice among Friends. She even said she thought it to be 
a general loss to the Christian Church that women are not 
permitted to take part in the ministry. She is a thorough' 
Millenarian, and said the prophecy in Joel, that the Spirit 
should be poured out on all flesh, referred to the coming of 
Christ to reign on the earth, until I reminded her of what 
happened on the day of Pentecost, when Peter said expressly 
that it was the fulfilment of the prophecy of Joel. Two other 
ladies were with her. We parted friendly, and she thanked 
me for the information I had given her. 

Ith. — Went to Treisen to a meeting. The little company 
meet only about eight persons usually, but we found about 
thirty assembled in a small room. I thought it one of the 
most lively meetings we have had. They wished me to con- 
duct it in our own way. I told them we always commenced 
our worship by sitting in silence. They said. We will also sit 
still. I was favored with strength to speak to them of the 
pool of Bethesda, when the angel troubled the water, and on 



* For a fuller description of tliis visit, see J. Y.'s Tract, The German 
Farmer J &c. 



MT. 63.] BONN. 869 

tlie nature and advantage of true silence before God. At fhe 
close, none seemed to wish to depart, but entered into serious 
conversation. I think I never saw more satisfaction exhibited 
at receiving books than on this occasion. After coSee, we 
returned to our lodgings with thankful hearts. 

In the evening came three young women, with an elderly 
lady, the mother of one of them. We had much conversation, 
and a precious little meeting, which concluded with solemn 
supplication — a nice finish to our sojourn in interesting 
Kreuznach. 

Our friend Ott has accompanied us ; he has been to us as 
eyes in the wilderness. 

From Kreuznach they returned to Bonn, stopping at 
Darmstadt, Wiesbaden and Neuwied. John Yeardley 
had allowed some discouragement to enter his mind in 
regard to the meeting they had had the previous month 
at the Countess Stynum's. They found, however, on 
repeating their visit to this place, that the occasion in 
question had been one " of peculiar benefit and encou- 
ragement." They renewed their religious intercourse 
with the Countess and her friends to their great re- 
freshment and joy. 

12th. — The evening was spent with the Countess, in a quiet 
and more private interview than she had with us tlie last time, 
owing to so many strangers being present. After tea we had 
a long conversation on various religious subjects, particularly 
on some points relating to the principles of Friends, arising 
from what she had read in the books we left with her in our 
former visit. We were glad of an opportunity to answer her 
questions. A few of her private friends were present, much 
to our comfort. Before leaving, the forty-sixth Psalm was 
read, and we had a comforting time together: the Lord be 
praised ! How sweet in him is the fellowship of the gospel ! 

Writing to Josiah Forster from Bonn, John Yeardley 



870 KETUBN TO ENGLAND. [1850. 

makes some general remarks on the religious state of 
Germany, as they had found it in their frequent inter- 
course with individuals of various character during this 
journey. 

There is no doubt that there is in the German character 
generally a tendency to the visionary. We have found a 
few who hold doctrines on certain points, which it might do 
harm to publish ; but we find or hear nothing of fanaticism 
now as formerly. Those who are spiritually -minded are 
more chastened, and more sound and scriptural in their 
views of religious truth ; but not without exception. 

A meeting at Mtihlheim "not large, but a good 
time," closed their religious service in this part of their 
long and arduous engagement. 

They arrived in England on the 20th of the Tenth 
IMonth, " with peaceful feelings, and in gratitude to 
their Heavenly Father for all his mercies towards his 
unworthy servants;" but "mourning the loss of some 
beloved ones who had died in the Lord in their 
absence." 

After about five months passed in the quiet of home, 
they made preparation once more for accomplishing the 
work to which they had been called. The prospect of 
distant travel was discouraging, both on account of 
Martha Yeardley's weak health and of the state of the 
Continent ; but, writes John Yeardley, " my mind is 
peaceful, and I have an abiding conviction that it is 
right to proceed, trusting in the Lord for light, strength 
and safety." 

On their way through Belgium, the same feeling was 
strongly impressed upon his mind. 

1850. 4 mo. 7. — In the train, soon after leaving Brussels, 
my spirit was melted under a feeling of the Lord's goodness. 



^T. 64.] BERLIN. 871 

The object of our joarney came weiglitily before me, and I 
considered we had left our home and every object most dear 
to our natural affections, with the sole view to serve our Lord 
and Master, and in the desire to use our feeble powers to 
draw souls to Him, that they might partake of spiritual 
communion with the Beloved of souls, through his grace. 
A degree of precious resignation followed ; and, whatever 
may be the result as it regards ourselves, I believe it is the 
Lord's will for us thus to go forth in his name ; and should 
I or the precious partner of my bosom not be permitted again 
to see our native land, we shall be happy and at rest, through 
the mercy of that Saviour who gave his precious life for us. 

On arriving at Berlin their first duty was to apply to 
the Russian ambassador for his signature to their pass- 
port, with permission to enter the Russian territory at 
Odessa. Their application met with an immediate and 
positive refusal, and the extinction of his hopes in this 
respect was to John Yeardley a grievous disappoint- 
ment. 

The next evening, after they had borne their burden 
all the day, dejected in spirit, and uncertain which way 
to turn, their hearts were lightened by a visit from 
August Beyerhaus, who at once attached himself to 
them and offered them help. He could indeed do 
nothing to facilitate their entrance into Russia, but he 
was the means of diverting their minds from the con- 
sideration of what had now become hopeless, and of 
opening to them, in Berlin, a door of usefulness. Through 
his introduction they became acquainted Avith several 
devoted Christians, some of them of wide reputation in 
the Church. These interviews, which were occasions 
of heartfelt spiritual communion, are thus noticed in the 
Diary : — 



9 



72 BERLIN. [1850. 



4 7770, 22. — Samuel Eisner is an aged warm -hearted Chris- 
tian, full of faith and good works : he gave us important in- 
formation, and will send me some names of pious persons in 
Silesia. 

Pastor Gossner we found green in old age ; seventy -five 
years of a variegated life have taught him many useful 
lessons. His refuore now is strons: faith in the Saviour. 
He was at work in his arm-chair, and was much pleased to 
see us. 

2Srd. — Pastor Knack, successor to Gossner, is a man of a 
lively spirit, to whom we at once felt united. He very 
liberally offered us the liberty of speaking to his flock (the 
Bohemian congregation in Berlin) ; and also invited us to 
visit the little company in the village where we propose 
going this evening. 

At 3 o'clock we had a sweet interview with Professor 
Neander, an aged man of a striking figure and a Jewish coun- 
tenance, pervaded by heavenly calmness, and illumined by 
the bright shades of gospel light. His eyes are become dim 
through excessive study ; his heart is very large, full of love 
and hope in Jesus Christ. He seemed pleased to hear some 
account of the order of our Society, particularly with regard 
to the ministry and gospel missions, observing, "With you, 
then, there is liberty for all to speak when moved by the 
Holy Spirit, just as in the primitive church." This observa- 
tion led us to several points of our discipline, and he seemed 
delighted that a society existed whose practice, in many things, 
came so near to that of the primitive church. Before parting 
the spirit of supplication came over us, under which prayer 
was offered, particularly for this aged servant of the Lord. 
His disinterestedness is great. The king will sometimes give 
him money, that he may take relaxation in going to the 
baths, &c. But so susceptible is his heart for many who are 
necessitous, that he will often give to others all that he has 
received. The good king has then to repeat his gift, and send 
him away almost by force from his labors. 

After these choice visits, John Yeardley says : — 



MT. 64.] WAEMBRUNN. 373 

24:th. — A ray of light and hope has broken in upon our 
gloomy path, — not into Russia ; there Satan is still permitted 
to hinder; but in this city. 

They spent two days at E-ixdorf, the village alluded 
to above, three miles from Berlin, where was a small 
congregation of Bohemian Brethren, who took refuge 
there in 1737. The women of the society held reli- 
gious meetings by themselves twice a week. These 
meetings had been instituted many years before by 
Maria Liestig, to whom John and Martha Yeardley 
were introduced, and whom they found to be of a meek 
and intelligent spirit. She gave them a relation of her 
extraordinary conversion, which John Yeardley pub- 
lished in No. 3 of his Series of Tracts, under the title 
of the Conversion of Mary Merry. They held a meet- 
ing in the village, in which they both had to " speak 
closely on the necessity of silence in worship." They 
had also a small meeting at their hotel in Berlin, 
when " the gospel message flowed freely, in speaking of 
the spiritual dispensation in which we live, and the 
progress of light." 

On the 29th they left Berlin, and went to the beauti- 
ful watering-place of Warmbrunn, in Silesia. The 
dwellings of the laborers in Silesia struck them as being 
of a wretched description. " What they do," says J. Y., 
" in a rigorous winter, like the last, I cannot tell ; they 
appeared to be mostly Roman Catholics." 

They resided a month at Warmbrunn. Some of the 
simple incidents which befel them there form the sub- 
jects of the following extracts : — 

5 mo. 10. — Yesterday was a thorough rainy day ; but in 
the afternoon, to our surprise, came in eight men together, 
who had heard of strangers having arrived in Warmbrunn 



374 WARMBRUNN. [1850. 

to visit those wlio love the Saviour. We explained to them 
our religious principles; their countenances brightened when 
we spoke of the Spirit being poured out upon all — sons and 
daughters. A sweet feeling was present with us, and suppli- 
cation was offered under much solemnity. 

llih. — I have had a long conversation with C. W. Grossner, 
of Breslau, on the Supper, &c. We opened the Testament, 
and read the various passages, and I explained our views as 
well as I could. I think he is brought under serious thought- 
fulness, and half convinced of our principles with regard to 
the rites, which he acknowledges are vain without the sub- 
stance. "Eeligion with many, nowadays," he observed, ^'is 
like a polished shell without kernel.'' 

ISth. — The Countess Schaffgotsch sent her' butler with a 
message from the castle that she would be glad if we would 
call on her. She gave us a hearty reception, and thanked 
us for taking so much interest about the people. On our 
presenting her with some books, — But I am a Catholic, she 
said. We told her that made no difference to us ; we loved 
all who loved the Lord Jesus. She spoke very sweetly of the 
influence of the Spirit. 

14:th. — The Countess paid us a long visit, and spoke much 
of the Eoman Catholic faith. She has no more faith in the 
efficacy of the prayers of the saints than I have, and said she 
had not prayed to them now for four years ; their church 
only advises, not commands it. 

IQth. — We went to dine with the Countess Eeden and her 
sister, who live at the castle in Buchwald, one of the most 
lovely spots in the most lovely of countries. It is truly a 
peaceful abode, whose inmates fear their God, love their 
neighbor, and greatly esteem their king. We had been 
announced to the Countess from Berlin a week before; she 
and her amiable sister received us as a brother and sister 
beloved in the Lord. I never witnessed more intelligence 
combined with Christian politeness and real simplicity. The 
Countess is about seventy-six years of age ; she is the presi- 
dent of the Bible Society, and the spiritual mother of all that 
is good in the neighborhood. She nursed the present king 



iET. 64.] BOHEMIA. 875 

on lier lap wlien lie was a baby, and her great influence witb 
him now she always turns to good account in serving benevo- 
lence and religion. Both she and her sister spoke with much 
affection of dear Elizabeth J. Fry, and her visit with Joseph 
John Gurney. 

26th. — Our last meeting, on First-day evening, consisted 
of all men, several of whom had come from Erdmannsdorf 
and the colonies of the Tyrolese. They seemed to appreciate 
the time of silence, and expressed much satisfaction with 
having made our acquaintance, and with the meeting. 

On the 30th of the Fifth Month, J. and M. Y. quitted 
Warmbrunn and proceeded towards Bohemia. 

"We passed, says the former, through Hirschberg. Gold- 
berg, Liegnitz, and to Dresden, Leipzig, and Halle, making 
acquaintance in all these places with serious persons, and, 
I hope, scattering here and there a little gospel seed; but 
truly we may say, It is sown in weakness. At Halle we were 
much gratified with our visit to Dr. Tholuck, but I think, not 
less so with his wife, a most lovely person, delighting to feel 
and to do good. 

On arriving at Dresden, it became evident that Martha 
Yeardley, who had suffered much for some time from 
an affection of the windpipe, required repose and medical 
care ; and they concluded to rest awhile at the baths 
of Toplitz. The illness of his wife, and some degree of 
bodily indisposition from which he himself suffered, did 
not prevent John Yeardley from employing the time in 
the diffusion of evangelical truth. 

He had heard at Berlin that within a few months 
several hundred Bibles and Testaments had been sent 
into Bohemia, and had been eagerly bought there by 
awakened persons. He thought that if a translation 
could be made into the Bohemian language of some 
simple religious tracts, much good might be done by 



376 PRAGUE. [1850. 

their dissemination ; but he supposed that the intolerant 
laws of the Austrian Empire, which forbad all freedom 
of religious action, were still in full force. His account 
of his feelings and those of Martha Yeardley under the 
burden which this supposition imposed on them, and of 
the agreeable manner in which permission was unex- 
pectedly granted them to print and circulate their little 
messengers of peace, must be given in his own words : — 

Our hearts yearned towards the people, but we were afraid 
to give them tracts, which in other places had often been the 
means to conversation and to making acquaintance. This 
brought us low in mind ; the body was already weak enough 
before. We thought it would not do to pass through the 
country in this state of depression, without trying to remove 
the cause. I went, therefore, the next morning to the head 
of the authorities, took with me one of our little tracts, 
mostly Scripture extracts, and asked whether I might be 
allowed to have the little book, or such as I then presented 
to him, printed for circulation. He received me politely, 
indeed kindly, and looked pleased with my tract, saying as 
he turned over its innocent little pages, Ah, nothing about 
politics; nothing against the religion of the country: it is 
very good, it is beautiful. You are quitQ at liberty to print 
and circulate such tracts as these. And when he found that 
the object was to do good to all, without cost to the receiver, 
he said. That is lovely. — {Letter of 6 mo. 23.) 

The Bohemian translations were not made until J. and 
M. Y. went to Prague, which they did on the 22nd. 
Their feelings on entering this city, and the manner in 
which they were helped in their work of love, are 
described in the following diaries : — 

6 mo. 23. — Last evening we arrived at Prague. Our heart 
sunk on approaching this great city. The twenty-eight 
statues of saints, &c. on the bridge, with the many lamps 



MT. 64.] PKAGUE. 377 

devoted to these images, tlie crucifixes, &c., all indicated that 
superstition rages rampant. 

We lost no time in sending to the Protestant pastors, one 
of whom kindly came to us in the evening, and we conversed 
till late. I showed him my little Spiritual Bread for Christian 
Workmen, with which he was much pleased. I told him I 
wanted it translated into the Bohemian language. This 
afternoon he paid us another visit, and brought his wife to 
see my M. Y. He produced the translation of the introduc- 
tion to the little tract. We are to have 2000 printed. Most 
of the poor people read only the Bohemian language. I have 
promised to place 1000 at the disposal of the pastor ; he is 
delighted with the opportunity of having anything of the kind 
printed in Prague. 

Much, adds J. Y. in a letter, as I have suffered in the long 
prospect of a visit to this place, I feel a peculiar satisfaction 
that it has been deferred until there is liberty to print and 
circulate gospel tracts. Small as such a privilege may appear, 
until very recently such distribution of books would have 
been visited with a very inconvenient imprisonment on the 
individual transgressing the law. — (6 mo. 23.) 

24:th. — I gave Pastor Bennisch for perusal, and choice for 
translation, William Allen's Thoughts on the Importance of 
Religion, and our tracts on the Fall, Regeneration and Re- 
demptio7i, True Faith, and the Voice of Conscience. There is 
a great movement among the Catholics ; they have need to 
be instructed in the first principles of Christianity, and it is 
very important that the doctrine of faith in Christ should be 
combined with that of the practical working of the Spirit as 
set forth in many of our tracts. On this account, I am glad 
they are likely to take precedence of others in their circula- 
tion ; for I do not hear that any tracts decidedly religious 
have yet been printed in Prague. 

During their stay in the city, and after they left, 
there were printed 12,000 copies of the tracts in Bohe- 
mian, and 1000 in German. 

At Toplitz, which they revisited before leaving 
25 



878 NEuwiED. [1850. 

Bohemia, occurred the interesting incident of the 
Bohemian soldier, which is related under that title in 
John Yeardley's series of tracts. No. 4. 

When they finally quitted the country, they took the 
nearest road to Kreuznach. On the way, they distri- 
buted tracts in the villages, at one of which, where they 
were detained for w^ant of horses, the inhabitants flocked 
so eagerly to them to receive these little messengers, 
that they had difficulty in satisf}ing them. Notwith- 
standing this circumstance, the reflection with which 
John Yeardley concludes his account of their travels in 
Bohemia was, " It will require a power more than 
human to make the dry hones of Bohemia live." 

They spent three weeks at Kreuznach, confirming 
the faith of the brethren, and printing German transla- 
tions of several tracts. In passing through Neuwied, 
they intended only to spend the night there ; but hear- 
ing that much inquiry after the way of salvation had 
recently manifested itself in the villages around, they 
decided, after the horses had been ordered for departure, 
to remain and visit one of these villages. A meeting 
was called, and so many attended that the room could 
not contain them all. It was a good season ; De Freis, 
the friend who had made them acquainted with the 
rehgious condition of the place, accompanied them as 
guide, and was a true helper in the work. He had 
been twenty years missionary in Greenland and South 
Africa. 

They returned home, both of them worn with travel- 
ling, and Martha Yeardley exhausted with disease, which 
was making sure progress in her debiUtated frame ; but 
they were supported by the peaceful consciousness of 
having accomplished all the service to which they had 
been called to labor in common. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

DEATH OF MARTHA YEARDLEY, AND JOHN YEARDLEY'S 
JOURNEY TO NORWAY. 

1851-2. 

Martha Yeardley continued very unwell during 
the autumn, and by the end of the year her disorder 
assumed a more alarming form. It soon became evident 
that her dedicated life must at no distant period be 
brought to a close; and after many weeks of suffering, 
with confinement to the chamber during the latter part 
of the time, she expired, full of peace and hope in Christ 
Jesus, in the Fifth Month, 1851. The following memo- 
randum, touchingly descriptive of her illness and death, 
was penned by her bereaved husband, probably soon after 
her decease. 

After our return from the Continental journey my beloved 
M. Y. became more poorly. A severe influenza cold weakened 
her much ; and a second attack she seemed never to recover. 
It was succeeded by a regular rheumatic fever. Erom the 
commencement of 1851, with but little exception, she was 
confined to the house, and for a little while to her bed, until 
the 8th of the Fifth Month, when her sweet and purified 
spirit ascended to her Saviour, and commenced an eternity 
of bliss. 

Thus was I deprived of my only earthly treasure. She was 
the Lord's precious loan, granted me for nearly a quarter of 
a century, for which I can never be sufficiently [thankful]. 
She was his own, bought with the blood of his dear Son, 
and he saw meet to take her from me. Ours was a blessed 

(379) 



380 DEATH OF MAKTHA YEARDLEY. [1851. 

union, and a happy life, spent, I hope, unitedly in the service 
of our Lord. In all our imperfections we did desire, above 
all earthly things, to do the work of our Divine Master, and 
to labor for the promotion of his kingdom, and for the spread 
of his knowledge in the earth. 

I was her only nurse till within ten days of her happy 
close. Long had a covenant been made between us, in the 
time of health, that whichever of us was taken ill the first, 
should be nursed by the surviving one, if permitted and 
strength afforded ; which it mercifully was to me, and a happy 
season was the sick-room. We seemed to live together in 
heaven ; never, I think, could two mortals be more favored 
with the answer to prayer. 

In the early part of her illness she spoke much of the 
satisfaction she had felt in our three last journeys to the 
Continent, and that she was thankful in having been enabled 
to go through the whole of the service which her Lord had 
put into her heart. I have since thought it was a mercy thal^ 
I did not proceed into South Eussia, as, in all probability, 
my precious one would have fallen on the journey, and never 
seen her peaceful home again. 

During the whole of the illness her delight was to speak 
of the joy of heaven. My sins of omission and of com- 
mission, she said, are all passed by ; my iniquities are all 
forgiven, and washed away in the blood of the Lamb ; and 
now I rejoice in God my Saviour. His love and mercy to 
me are beyond all bounds ; and so strong is my faith in my 
precious Saviour, that I have scarcely known, the whole of 
the illness, what it has been to be troubled with an evil 
thought. 

When she expressed a desire to go to Heaven, I reminded 
her of my loneliness when she should be taken from me. 
The Lord will care for thee, was her constant reply. He 
has promised me over and over again that he will care for 
thee ; the answer to my prayer has always been, I will care 
for him. 

Nearly the last conversation she had with any of her 
beloved relatives was with , to whom she observed : 



^T. 65.] DIARY. 381 

My affection for tliee is strong ; I believe thou lovest thy 
Saviour: I desire that thou majest keep nothing back 
that the Lord may require of thee, but serve him with 
greater devotedness of heart ; and if ever thou art called to 
bear public testimony to his truth, be sure to preach the whole 
gospel, faith in Christ, and the necessity of the practical 
work of the Holy Spirit to produce holiness of life. To 
[another of her near relatives] she observed: Thou hast 
often been sweetly visited by the love of thy Saviour, and 
be assured thou wilt never find any joy equal to that of 
yielding thy heart in prompt obedience to the will of thy 
Lord. Her last words to her affectionate sisters were, The 
Lord bless you all : Farewell. 

Towards the end of the year John Yeardley again 
communed with himself in the language of sorrow, but 
also of humble resignation. At the same time he 
speaks of an engagement of gospel labor firom which 
he had then recently returned, the first which he had 
undertaken alone since his marriage with Martha 
Savory. Having seen his faithful and well-tried com- 
rade fall by his side, he had now to learn again to gird 
himself and enter, as in the days of his youth, alone 
into the combat. 

1851. 12 mo. 13. — How often have I prayed that the 
portion of her Lord's spirit which animated her devoted life 
may rest on me 1 Her heart, her tongue, and her pen were 
all employed in promoting the cause of her Divine Master, 
whom she delighted to serve. All my earthly joy was now 
gone to heaven, and I felt alone in the world ; but my spirit 
seemed never to be separated from her: she seemed to be 
hovering over me constantly. My heart does sorrow for the 
loss of her sweet society ; to me she was a wise and sound 
counsellor, and a never-failing consoler in all my troubles. 
I do mourn, but I dare not murmur. I hope my merciful 
Heavenly Father will keep me in the hour of temptation, 



382 VISIT TO IRELAND. [1851. 

and be with me in the last trying hour, and prepare me ti^ 
join this precious one and all by whom she is surrounded 
with her God and Saviour in the centre of bliss. 

I had often mentioned to my precious one a prospect of 
religious service in Ireland, and once since our return home 
from our last Continental journey ; when she replied, " I 
have no concern to go to Ireland — thou must do that when 
I am taken from thee." It cost me many tears and prayers 
before I could be resigned to request a certificate, alone, for 
the first time since our union ; but, looking seriously at the 
subject, the language was" constantly in my heart, The hour 
cometh when no man can work. Life is uncertain, and I can 
only expect sustaining grace by faithfully following my Lord : 
and, blessed be his name, he has kept and sustained me in 
every trial. 

This day would have been the twenty-fifth anniversary of 
our union. How near it has brought my precious one to me 
in spirit, and how strong are my prayers that my Lord may 
preserve me faithful to the end of the race ! I can say my 
desire is, when he cometh, he may not find me idle. 

The visit which John Yeardley made in Ireland was 
general, comprehending all, or nearly all, the meetings 
of Friends in the island, and including a few public 
meetings in Leinster province. He has left very few 
notes of this journey, except an itinerary of the places 
at which he stopped, but makes frequent mention of the 
hospitality and kindness of Friends. From Cork he 
writes : — 

I am in the midst of a family visit to the Friends of Cork, 
and shall have, I expect, from ninety to a hundred sittings. 
I am lodged a few miles in the country, in a mansion sur- 
rounded by beautiful grounds, and all the beloved inmates 
most afi'ectionate and helpful to me. They send me to my 
work in or about the city mostly to breakfast ; and I return 
in the evening, and enjoy the refreshing breezes and the 



:MH. 65.] PROSPECT of a journey to NORWAY. 383 

quiet : but then I have the family visits to resume next 
morning. In riding to town to-day, I tried to raise my heart to 
God ; when the language sweetly occurred to me, Bread shall 
be given thee, thy water shall be sure. — {Letter of 8 mo. 5, 
1851.) 

A few days after his return from Ireland, he left 
home again to ^dsit the Isle of Man, in company with 
Barnard Dickenson. On his return, he was refreshed 
by a visit to Dover, where he spent three weeks in the 
company of his kind and sympathising friend Margaret 
Pope. 

The interval which elapsed before the recommence- 
ment of his missionary labors was to be short. In the 
First Month of 1852, we find him again under exercise 
of mind for foreign travel; having, this time, to direct 
his course towards the interesting community of religious 
persons in Norway, whose principles and practices are 
the same as those of Friends. The Diary which follows 
is the utterance of his heart in the prospect of this 
work. 

1852. 1 mo. 24. — This has been a precious morning unto 
my soul ; such a season of spiritual comfort I have not been 
permitted to experience for a long time. I think it is vouch- 
safed me through the efficacy of earnest prayer, which has 
brought me to resignation to my Lord's will. I have now no 
more doubt as to Norway. Light springs on my path. How 
powerful is the love of God when it fills the heart ; there is 
not a place on the Lord's earth where I think I could not go, 
if favored with the strength, and blessed with the presence of 
my God and Saviour. 

Unto thee, Lord, do I commit all my concerns, spiritual 
and temporal ; do thou give to thy unworthy servant an 
answer of peace. Keep me faithful and patient to the end 
of the race. Lord, grant that my ministry, which thou hast 



881 HOMBURG— SEVERE ILLNESS. [1852. 

entrusted to mo, ma}^ proceed purely and entirely from thy 
love, and be exercii^ed in thy fear and under the unction of 
thy Holy Spirit. Lord, keep my heart fixed on the last, 
last awful moment that I may have to breathe ; grant that it 
may be breathed out in the bosom of my adorable Saviour; 
all sting of death taken away, my robes washed in his blood, 
and my spirit purified and ready to be united to those 
beloved ones who are already enjoying a blissful eternity 
with thee ! 

The next entry in the Diary was made at Christiania, 
where he thus speaks of the unity and concurrence 
which his friends had testified with his mission. 

Since I last wrote any notes in this journal, I have passed 
through many conflicts respecting my long-thought-of visit 
to Norway. When the subject was proposed to my friends 
in London, it met with the warm encouragement and sympa- 
thy of all, in every stage, to the receiving the full unity of 
the Yearly Meeting of Ministers and Elders. 

I am accompanied by my dear friend, Peter Bedford, 
whose sweet and constantly cheerful spirits comfort and cheer 
me. We have already had many proofs that our being joined 
together in this laborious journey is of the Lord. Our friend 
William Robinson proves an efficient helper. 

John Yeardley and his companions left London on 
the 9th of the Sixth Month, and went first to Homburg, 
as he wished to place a young person in whom he was 
interested, at the school kept by the sisters Miiller at 
Friedrichsdorf, near that town. Whilst at Homburg 
he was suddenly attacked with a severe and painful 
disorder, and was reduced to great extremity. After 
about two weeks of suffering, he was restored to con- 
valescence, when he thus breaks forth : — 

How can T sufficiently record the mercy of my God in 
sustaining me in a time of great extremity, even when there 



^T. 66.] PROCEEDS TO CHRISTIANIA. 885 

was but little prospect of my ever seeing ISTorway. He 
blessed me with resignation and sustaining grace, so that T 
could rest as on the Saviour's bosom, for life or death. I 
knew my Lord and Master could do without my poor un- 
,worthy service in Norway ; but if he had work for me to do 
in that land he would raise me up in his own time ; and so he 
has done. 

As soon as he had sufficiently recovered his strength, 
they set forth for Kiel ; but not before John Yeardley 
had had a religious meeting with the pupils in the 
school. 

I was, he says, enabled to address them in German ; a 
precious feeling was over us, and many spirits were tendered 
before the Lord. F. Miiller expressed her great satisfaction 
with this parting visit. * ' 

They reached Kiel by easy stages in seven days. 
From this place he writes : — 

My very soul pants to be in Norway ; had I wings I could 
fly there. And yet how few are the days since the cloud 
between me and that land was so dense that I could not see 
through it. But even then, 0, what sweet peace and resig- 
nation were the clothing of my humbled spirit. There 
seemed nothing in my way to heaven, whether from Germany 
or Norway. I do believe my eye and heart are fixed on my 
precious Saviour, and he has been my stay in the hour of sore 
conflict of body, but none of mind. All seemed peace and 
bliss when I glanced at the happy home above, already in- 
habited by my precious one and many more who were dear 
to us on earth. — {Letter of 7 mo. 2, 1852.) 

On the 5th of the Seventh Month they proceeded to 
Christiania, John Yeardley employing the time on the 
voyage in adding to the little stock of the Norse 
language which he had acquired at home in anticipation 



886 CHRISTIANSAND. [1852. 

of the journey. On landing at Christiania they were 
refreshed by seeing Asbjon Kloster of Stavanger, who 
had come to meet them, and for two weeks had been 
waiting their arrival. 

At a meeting which they held in this city, both John 
Yeardley and Peter Bedford were engaged to minister 
to the spiritual wants of the people; A. Kloster inter- 
preting for them. The company were so much inte- 
rested, that many of them went afterwards to the hotel 
to converse and ask for tracts. 

The Friends left Christiania on the 10th, and sailed 
through the rock-bound sea to Christiansand, the pass- 
age between the cliffs being in some places so narrow 
that there was no more room than was sufficient for the 
vessel to pass. 

In this town they enjoyed much freedom in the gos- 
pel, and held two public meetings. Regarding the first 
of these, John Yeardley says : — 

7 mo. 13, — Our large room at the hotel was filled half an 
hour before the time appointed, and it was with difficulty 
that we made our way to our seats. A little unsettlement 
prevailed from the desire to enter, which subsided after a 
few explanatory words. A time of quiet ensued, and there 
was much openness to receive the gospel message. Before 
the close of the meeting I became exceedingly thoughtful 
about appointing another for the next evening ; and on inti- 
mating the same to P. B., I found he was under the same 
impression. It was, therefore, announced to the assembly 
before they separated, and appeared much to satisfy them, 
The dear people were unwilling to part from us without a 
shake by the hand. — ( Diary and Letter.) 

At one of the meetings wnich they held in this town, 
whilst John Yeardley was preaching, he became sen- 



JET. 66.] ACCIDENT TO P. BEDFORD. 387 

sible that his interpreter had himself received some- 
thing to communicate to the congregation ; he therefore 
stopped speaking, and the interpreter, faithful to his 
duty, took up the word until he had cleared his mind 
from its burden. After he had finished, John Yeardley 
resumed his discourse. 

On the 14th the Friends drove out a few miles into 
the country to " pay some family visits." They had two 
double carrioles, or gigs: the road over which they 
passed was " steep and rugged beyond description." In 
returning, the carriole in which Peter Bedford rode 
struck against a rock at a sharp corner and was overset. 
Peter Bedford's right shoulder was dislocated, and he 
otherwise bruised. In conveying him into Christian- 
sand he suffered much from the shaking of the car ; 
but the joint was quickly set by a skilful surgeon ; and, 
in the evening, the love he felt for the people was so 
strong, that he could not remain absent from the 
meeting which had been appointed for that time, and he 
even took part in its vocal exercise. 

It was, writes John Yeardley, a favored time. Peter 
Bedford gave som^ account of the difference between our 
religious Society and other professing Christians. It opened 
the way for me to speak on the peculiar doctrines and prac- 
tices of Friends at more length than I ever remember to have 
done before ; after which the glad tidings of the gospel flowed 
freely, and the people were invited to come to Christ and 
partake of the full blessedness of his teaching by the Holy 
Spirit. A precious solemnity prevailed, and the serious 
attention of the company was great. A good many soldiers, 
and some officers, were present; but the expression of our 
dissent from all wars and fightings had not displeased them, 
for they shook hands with us most kindly. — {Diary and 
Letter.) 



8^3 MODE OF TRAVELLING IN NORWAY. [1852. 

Besides being interested for the people of Christian- 
sand in general, John Yeardley and Peter Bedford 
were especially attracted towards several young men 
who had embraced the doctrines of Friends, without 
any knowledge of the Society, and without any instruc- 
tion from man. With these persons they met more 
than once. John Yeardley writes : — 

We had a precious meeting with them. They were invited 
to embrace the doctrines of the gospel in living faith, and to 
give full room to the workings of the Spirit of Jesus, whose 
voice they had already heard inviting them to come under his 
teaching. We encouraged them to meet for divine worship. 

On the 16th the Friends proceeded thirty-five miles 
to Mandal, travelling post. From thence, John Yeardley 
and Asbjon Kloster went by the road to Stavanger, 
leaving Peter Bedford and William Robinson to follow 
by steam- vessel, the former being unable to bear the 
motion of the Norwegian carriages. 

John Yeardley, in one of his letters, in a lively 
manner describes the mode of travelling : — 

The usual vehicle in this country 4s the single-seated 
carriole, made exactly to fit the figure of the traveller, and 
no spare room except a little well under his feet. The seat 
is placed on two crossbars fixed to the long shafts, the spring 
of which is intended to mitigate the jolting of the road. We 
chose double cars on iron springs, which we found not too 
easy: they were like old-fashioned, worn-out, and very 
shabby English gigs. The posting is under government 
regulation, and is performed by sure-footed ponies kept by the 
farmers, who are obliged to supply them under any circum- 
stances after having had notice. A forbud is sent on with 
printed notices filled up with the time at which the traveller 
expects to arrive at each station. This avant-coiirier is often 
a little boy, and sometimes, to save the expense of a horse, 



MT. 66.] STAY ANGER. 389 

for which the traveller has paid, he is sent on foot. On one 
occasion we met a young girl, with bare feet, who had walked 
sixteen miles with notice papers, as our forhud. Now away 
goes the traveller, accompanied by a man, or more often a 
boy, or it may be a little girl, to bring back the pony. They 
run by the side, but down hills always seat themselves behind 
on the luggage as best they cam The traveller drives himself, 
and the little horses are so brisk that, whatever the state of 
the road may be, they run down the mountains as fast as they 
can clatter, and so sure-footed that they are scarcely ever 
known to fall ; but a person of weak nerves has no business 
to be the rider. 

From Christiansand to Stavanger is about 200 miles, which 
took us four days. Our road lay occasionally over a wild and 
stony heath by the sea, sometimes along the river-banks, 
lakes, or fiords, but more often among and upon the high and 
rugged rocks ; the passing of some of which is, I think, 
more difficult than crossing the Alps between Switzerland and 
Italy. — {Letter of 8 mo. 8.) 

On the way towards Stavanger John Yeardley had 
a public meeting at Flekkefiord, the first time such a 
meeting had been held in the place. It was " a good 
time," and so well attended that the town-hall could 
not contain nearly all who came together. 

Immediately on arriving at Stavanger, the Friends 
commenced visiting the families of the Friends in the 
town and on the adjacent islands; and on the next 
First-day held a meeting about eleven miles up one of 
the fiords, to which so many flocked from all directions 
that they were obliged to assemble in the open air : — 

It was, says J. Y., a lovely sight to see so many clean- 
dressed peasants, in their mountain costume, with a serious- 
ness in their countenances which indicated that a motive 
better than curiosity had brought them together. I was 
reminded and had to speak of the miracle of our blessed 



390 EXCURSION UP THE FIORD. [1852. 

Saviour, when he commanded the multitudes to sit down on 
the grass, and fed them with five barley loaves and two fishes. 
Since this time, he says in a letter, we hold our public 
meetings in the open air, and the stillness that prevails is 
quite remarkable. Last evening we had a solemn opportunity 
in a plantation belonging to one of our Friends by the sea- 
side. The hushing of the trees, the gentle rolling of the 
waves behind a strong sea-wall, and the warbling of the little 
birds, all seemed to aid our worship ; but these would have 
been nothing had not the presence of our Divine Master been 
near. After the meeting, as many as could be seated partook 
of tea, &c. The seriousness, simplicity, kindness and hospi- 
tality, are great. All flock together as if they were one 
family.— (7 mo. 28.) 

After this the Friends availed themselves of the 
efficient assistance of Endre Dahl, and of the active 
peasants who form a large portion of the Society of 
Friends there, in a more extensive excursion which they 
made np one of the fiords which in so remarkable a 
manner intersect the country. John Yeardley gives a 
graphic description of this voyage. 

Our ef&cient helper prepared his own boat; our ship's 
company are all volunteers. We set out with seven, but 
were joined by others on the way, so that this morning we 
started with ten men. They are a most cheerful and playful 
company, all interested in the object of our voyage. It does 
my heart good to see with what delight they bring planks for 
seats, and run in all directions to give notice of our meetings. 
Each seems to strive which shall show us the most attention, 
even anticipating our wants. They enjoy our family readings 
and worship ; their conduct is instructive ; and the solemnity 
on these occasions precious. 

On Fifth-day we landed on an island (Findon) sprinkled 
with trees, and with a park-like bank sloping to the water. 
This was refreshing to the eye after having seen nothing but 



JET. 66,] TO' SAND AND SAVDE. 391' 

bare rock for many days. The meeting was at our friend's 
house who owned the pretty little farm. It was sweet and 
refreshing ; and afterwards a number of these people accom 
panied us to the boat, and did not quit their standing till 
we were out of sight. My heart yearned towards them in 
gospel love. 

ISText morning we started before 6 o'clock, and when we 
had rowed fourteen English miles put into a little village, 
lelsom. We were all strangers in the place, and Friends 
and their principles unknown. Our friend Endre Dahl had 
a pointing that we should try for a meeting,- which was 
appointed for 2 o'clock. After waiting till 3, only one or 
two persons came, and we had a consultation whether we 
should proceed on our voyage, but concluded it safer to go 
in and sit down. When we were seated (I may say in faith), 
first one and then another came in, till the large room and 
passage were filled, and a number were outside under the 
windows. It was quite a remarkable meeting, and we were 
well satisfied in having exercised patience as well as a little 
faith. We were informed that it was the custom of the place 
not to attend any appointed meeting till an hour after the 
time named. 

We arrived at Sand about 9 o'clock, after hard rowing, 
the tide being against us. Sand is beautifally placed at an 
opening in the rocks, at the mouth of a river where salmon- 
fishing is good. As soon as we landed, our ship's company 
made the object of our journey known, when a serious-looking 
man immediately offered to go about six miles to inform a 
person who he knew would like to attend. Two individuals 
in this place have for some time been in the practice of 
holding a silent meeting for worship ; they had no knowledge 
of Friends, nor Friends of them. 

Fixing the meeting for the First-day evening, John 
Yeardley and his companions pursued their way the 
next morning, which was Seventh-day, to Siivde, 
situated at the head of the fiord, and consequently the 
extreme point of their voyage. Before starting they 



392 SAVDE. [1852 

went a little way up the Sand river, to view one of the 
grand Norwegian waterfalls, and also to see how tlie 
salmon-fishery is conducted. 

A hamper of about six feet in diameter, and the same 
height, made by the fisherman of the roughest wicker-work, 
is placed in a side stream of the rock, in the bed of the river. 
The anxiety of the salmon to mount up the stream is so great, 
that he forces himself through a hole into the hamper, as the 
easiest way of advancing upwards, from which position he 
cannot again escape. In this manner, in a favorable season, 
sixtv-three salmon have been caught in one nio^ht in a sino^le 
basket. It is a source of wealth to the little town of Sand. 

At Savde they held a meeting on First-day morning. 

We reached the head of the fiord, writes John Yeardley 
by 12 o'clock, and found but poor accommodation. We 
three had one room with three beds ; Endre Dahl with his 
willing-hearted and contented men lodged in a barn on 
straw. There was time enough to arrange for a meeting in 
the morning, and we applied for a room at the inn ; but a 
little knot of illiberal Haugeans [followers of Hauge], or 
Saints, as they call themselves, persuaded our landlord not to 
let us meet in his house. But we obtained better accom- 
modation under the rocks in a house containing two rooms 
connected by a passage, and, seating ourselves in the centre, 
could be well heard by those outside the door. We had a 
good meeting. 

Returning to Sand, he continues : — 

The wind being against us, the men had to work very hard 
at the oar to bring us in time for the meeting appointed for 
6 o'clock at Sand. Some of the Friends from near Savde 
accompanied us in their small boat ; and some from Sand 
had gone many miles to attend the meeting at Savde, and 
returned to the one at Sand. Their zeal is great and their 
love fervent. This was a very crowded meeting, and proved 



^T. 6^:] MEETING AT SAND. 393 

a satisfactory time. We found here a few of the Saints, but 
of a more liberal cast ; they expressed great grief that their 
brethren at the head of the fiord had refused the peaceable 
messengers of the gospel from a far country a house in which 
to meet. This unwelcome news had reached them long before 
our arrival. 

At a later date, John Yeardley relates an occurrence 
which happened at Sand, worthy of note in itself, and 
which must have been not a little confirmatory of his 
faith. It came to his knowledge after his return to 
Stavanger. 

When we were at Sand, one of the Friends who joins in 
holding the silent meeting invited several of our ship's 
company to his house ; but the man's wife was so exasperated 
that she drove them away, saying she would not have such 
folks under her roof. She had confounded the principles of 
Friends with those of some wild persons who had gone about 
the country spreading ranterism, and giving the people the 
idea that they were of our Society. It was in vain to reason 
with her, and the husband, for the sake of peace, mildly con- 
sented to let the Friends withdraw. However, she attended 
our public meeting, where the gospel doctrine of our Society 
was pretty fully illustrated ; and I felt constrained also to 
preach on the unreasonableness of persecution for cou science' 
sake, either by the government, private persons, or families. 
Conviction seized her heart, and she became broken to pieces. 
After the meeting she sought up the Friends whom she had 
driven from her house, and told them she could not be happy 
unless they would give her a proof of forgiveness by taking 
up their abode in her family so long as they might remain 
in the place. Several of them accepted the invitation, 
which gave them an opportunity for free and satisfactory 
conversation. 

How merciful are the Lord's doings with us in sending 
help in the needful time ! I was so spent when we arrived 
at Sand, having had nothing from breakfast till 5 o'clock, 
26 



894 FINLAND PRISONERS. [1852. 

that I said in my heart, It is impossible to get through the 
meeting this evening. 

The Friends had some religious service at several 
other places about Stavanger, and on the 6th of the 
Eighth Month proceeded northward to Bergen, accom- 
panied by Endre Dahl and his wife and Asbjon 
Kloster. Their chief service in this city was a public 
meeting, at which there was a large attendance. John 
Yeardley says of the meeting : — 

There was a great mixture of feeling. Many pious, thirsty 
souls; I believe, were present, and I hope such were encouraged 
and comforted ; but the strong impression on my mind was 
to call the sinner to repentance. 

On their way back to Stavanger, among the passengers 
were two Finland convicts, for whose peculiar case they 
felt much sympathy. 

On board our steamer were two prisoners on the deck, in 
heavy irons. They were natives of Finland, and had been 
sentenced to some months' confinement in irons at Christiania, 
for having, it is said, committed sgme outrage on the priest 
in disturbing the national worship. There has for some time 
past been a great awakening about religion in Finlasd and 
other parts of the North, and the most active among this 
number, in their zeal not tempered with right knowledge, 
have transgressed the law. I heartily pitied the two poor 
creatures, inasmuch as I feared justice had not been done 
them ; the prejudices of the priests and judges are so great in 
all matters connected with any separation from the national 
worship. They were chained together, and were clothed in 
their native reindeer skins, and on their ironed feet were snow- 
sandals tnrned up with a long toe. We offered them money, 
but they turned from it ; and when acceptance of it was 
pressed, their change of countenance indicated anger. They 
understood nothing but the Finnish language. 



^T. 66.] AAMUT— FCEDDE. 395 

On their return to Stavanger, Peter Bedford felt that 
his share in the work was accomphshed, and that it was 
not his part to accompany John Yeardley in the service 
which remained for the latter to do in Norway. After 
being present at another public meeting in Stavanger, 
and in a parting interview with the Friends of the town, 
he went with WilHam Robinson direct to Kiel. John 
Yeardley had two or three more meetings in the neigh- 
borhood of Stavanger, where the desire of the people to 
attend was more remarkable than ever. 

On the 11th of the Eighth Month he bade farewell 
to this interesting place, and, accompanied by Endre 
Dahl, again crossed the mountains to Christiansand, 
holding meetings at several places on the sea-coast, where 
none had ever been held before. His notices of some 
of these meetings are well worth transcription. 

lAth. — Journeyed about fourteen miles up the fiord, into 
the mountains, to Aamut in Qvindesdalen. This meeting 
was the most solemn of any we have had. Many said, in 
tears, at the conclusion, This is a doctrine that we cannot 
resist ; it goes to our heart, and meets the conviction of our 
own experience. What shall we do ? — our heart burns 
within us I 

loth. — We returned to Foedde to a meeting this afternoon, 
which was, I think, the largest we have had. There were 
two large rooms filled, and a number seated on planks on the 
grass ; not less than about 700 persons were present. Many 
followed us to the lodging, to converse on subjects that lay 
near their hearts, and to ask for tracts and books. Among 
them wa:S a man who goes about to exhort the people to 
amendment of life. He appeared to be a simple, sincere 
character, and was much satisfied with our meeting, saying, 
as if from the bottom of his heart, How remarkably, how 
wonderfully, have the truths of the gospel been opened and 
explained to us this day ! 



896 FAHRSUND. [1852. 

IQth. — At Fahrsund we had some difficulty to procure a 
place for a meeting. It is a brandy-drinking place. No 
one would hear anything of our business. A rich old lady 
has a large room which she lets for all kinds of purposes 
except for anything connected with religion; she gave an 
abrupt refusal to the application. E. Dahl and I went to 
the English vice-consul, showed him my certificate, and 
explained to him the object of my visit to Fahrsund. He 
kindly accompanied us to the old lady, and told her that we 
belonged to a respectable religious society in England and 
were not the persons she supposed, come to preach wild 
doctrines. She consented to let us occupy the entrance-hall, 
which was good and spacious. The consul then went with 
me to call on the sheriff; he said he and his lady would 
attend the meeting, which they did, with a good many of the 
respectable inhabitants, but the common people would not 
come near us. One man to whom a notice was offered, when 
he saw the word worship, immediately tore it to pieces. The 
lady to whom the room belonged sat near me all the meeting, 
and looked serious before the close ; and she took leave of us 
with very different feeling from that in which she first met us. 
The sheriff came to me after the meeting and offered his hand, 
saying, I thank you for the present occasion — I shall never 
forget it. 

Before the meeting at Foedde John Yeardley had an 
opportunity of refreshing his mind with the charms of 
Norwegian nature. 

My friend E. Dahl and I went out for a quiet walk. It 
was a lovely Sabbath morning ; the sky cloudless, and the 
sun shining brightly on the water as it rapidly foamed down 
the cliffs. After gathering a few cranberries we seated our- 
selves on a shady rock to meditate. All was silent around — 
nothing heard but the shepherd-boy playing his horn ; the 
sound coming from the distant mountains into the wooded 
valley where we sat, first shrill, then softening into a simple 
irregular note. My friend asked me what I thought the 



^T. 66.] ober:n"kikchen-. 897 

instrument was. It is made, said he, of a goat's horn, and 
is blown to keep the fox from taking the joung lambs, and 
as a means of communication with other shepherds when 
widely separated on the mountains ; the sound of this horn 
also keeps the sheep from straying. 

They arrived at Christiansand on the 19th ; and 
Endre Dahl, finding a vessel sailing for Stavanger, 
engaged a passage in it for himself. After parting with 
him, John Yeardley writes : — 

E. Dahl and I have been closely united in the gospel bond ; 
he has been a truly affectionate sympathizer and efficient 
helper. I am thus, he continues, left alone in* a strange land ; 
but I do feel a peaceful and a thankful heart to my Heavenly 
Father that he has in mercy blessed me with light, strength, 
and faith to go through this service in Norway. Imperfectly 
has it been performed, I know ; but I have done what I coald, 
and a song of thanksgiving is due to my Lord. 

John Yeardley returned by Germany to England. At 
Obernkirchen, near Minden, where some persons had not 
long before been convinced of Friends' principles, he had 
a meeting, in which he was joined by a number of Friends 
from Minden. A few years before, Thomas Arnett, from 
America, desired to hold a meeting for worship in this 
place, but was prevented by the police. The object was 
now 'accomplished by engaging a room without the limits 
of the state of Bilckeburg, in which the town is situated, 
and within the Hessian frontier, which includes, in fact, 
a part of Obernkirchen. 

A public meeting for worship in that place (says John 
Yeardley, in a letter written after his return home,) was such 
a new thing, that on our arrival we found a press of persons 
whom the room could by no means contain. The landlord 
readily granted us his barn, which was commodious, and we 



398 OBERNKIECHEN. [1852. 

threw open the large doors into the yard, which was seated ; 
besides which, the people stood in numbers. We had d. 
solemn meeting. There is a little company who hold a 
meeting at Obernkirchen ; several of these have suffered on 
account of their religious scruples in refusing baptism to their 
children, &c. These we invited after meeting to take coffee 
with us, about thirty persons, all serious. It was a delightful 
occasion. After the coffee we had a sweet parting meeting 
with this truly interesting company. We had been given to 
expect that, although we had taken the precaution to pitch 
our tent without the limits of the intolerant place, the police 
would be present, and would most probably disperse our 
assembly. But no such thing ; — all was quiet. 

I was thankful (he adds in his Diary) that the meeting was 
held in quiet, for there is a bitter feeling of persecution in 
the neighborhood. I was previously much cast down, but 
" thanks be unto Grod who always causeth us to triumph in 
Christ." 



CHAPTER XIX 

HIS JOUENEY TO SOUTH EUSSIA. 

1853. 

The call which John Yeardley had received to visit 
the German colonies in South Russia, and which had 
lain for a long time dormant, now revived. A friend 
who had watched with regret his unsuccessful attempts 
on former journeys to enter that jealous country, and 
who augured from the political changes which had taken 
place that permission might probably now be obtained, 
brought the subject again under his notice. The admo- 
nition was timely and effectual. After carefully ponder- 
ing the matter — with, we doubt not, as on former occa- 
sions, a childUke dependence on his Omniscient Guide 
for direction, — he came to the conclusion that it was his 
duty once more to address himself to this undertaking : 
and when it was accomplished, and he had returned in 
safety and peace to England, he alluded more than once 
to the manner in which the concern had been revived, 
saying he had been, before he was thus aroused, like 
the prophet asleep. 

He re-opened the prospect of this service before his 
Monthly Meeting, on the 3rd of the Fifth Month, 1853. 
In a letter written the same day, he says : — 

I am just returned from our Monthly Meeting in London, 
where I mentioned to my friends my concern to visit the 
German colonies in the South of Russia, which, thou wilt 
probably recollect, was included in my certificate for religious 

(399) 



400 CERTIFICATE AND PASSPORT. [1853. 

service on the Continent of Europe, five years ago. T received 
the expression of much sympathy and unity from my friends, 
and the certificate was ordered, including on my return, if 
permitted, any service that may present in Constantinople, 
the island of Malta, and some places in the South of France. 
Weak as I am, I cast myself once more into the hand of our 
Lord and Blessed Protector, in holy confidence that he will 
do all things well. 

On receiving a passport from the Secretary of State, 
with the requisite counter-signature of the Russian 
Ambassador, he wrote to John Kitching, the 25 th of 
the Fourth Month : — 

I want thee to know that, through the kind and efiScient aid 
of our mutually dear friend Samuel Gurney, I have at length 
been enabled to procure a Russian passport, and also a letter 
of recommendation to one of the first houses in Petersburg. 
Thou knowest, my dear friend, for a long time this matter has 
been heavy on my mind. It is a great comfort to have the 
ground cleared in this respect. 

John Yeardley left London at the end of the Sixth 
Month, and went to Hull to take the steam-packet 
direct to Petersburg. In the narrative which follows, 
we have interwoven with the Diary extracts from his 
letters to his sisters ; and we have been allowed the use 
of William Rasche's Journal, in relating and describing 
many circumstances of which J. Y. himself made no 
record. 

Petersburg. 7 ??io. 10. — On the 80th of the Sixth Month 
I left my peaceful home at Stamford Hill for my Russian 
journey. At our kind friend Isabel Casson's at Hull I met 
my young companion William Rasche. We were affection- 
ately cared for by dear I. C. and her daughter, and she and 
several other friends saw us on board the steamer. It is a 



JET. 67.] THE VOYAGE — PETERSBURG. 401 

fine ship, well ventilated, with good sleeping accommodation. 
and provisions : the captain is a kind, religious man. 

On First-day evening, the captain invited ns to the ship's 
service — an invitation which we gladly embraced. When he 
had finished, I addressed the company, much to my own 
comfort: great seriousness prevailed. After I had relieved 
my mind, the captain closed with a few sweet and feeling 
words. When the occasion was over, he came to me and 
expressed his thankfulness that I had been enabled to 
strengthen his hands by throwing in a word of exhortation. 
He said that sometimes, when he had felt indisposed and 
unprepared for his religious duty, he had given himself to 
a quiet dependence on the Lord, and had been mercifully 
helped, to the benefit of his own soul, in endeavoring to do 
his duty to others. 

There is great uncertainty (he says in a letter written 
during the voyage), how we shall find things at Petersburg, 
and whether they will permit us to proceed to the South ; 
but this I must leave. Whatever way it may please Provi- 
dence to turn the matter, as it regards myself I believe I 
shall be relieved from Eussia in having made this last 
attempt. 

They arrived at Petersburg on the 9th of the Seventh 
Month, after a safe and agreeable passage of seven 
days. 

Before we reached Oronstadt, to quote from J. Y.'s Diary, 
we encountered a strong gale, so that the officers from the 
guardship, who came to see that all was in order, had hard 
work to get on board. There were eighteen Eussian sailors 
with oars, yet they could not draw the boat, and our steamer 
was obliged to throw ropes and haul her in. The sight of 
Cronstadt was formidable ; for more than two miles in and 
near the harbor there was a line of ships of war. At Cron- 
stadt we had to be put on board a smaller steamer, which 
caused us much detention. At the custom-house all passed 
off well ; they were more civil and less strict in their exami- 



402 PETERSBURGT. [1853. 

nation than in England. The Russian sailors look very 
Tinbriglit ; they are not active in managing a boat. They not 
unfrequently received a few strokes from the fist of the helms- 
man, or a rope's-end, either of which they took with that 
unconcerned composure which showed they were accustomed 
to it. We are located at the hotel of H. Spink, an intelligent 
Yorkshireman ; his wife is very kind and attentive. 

ISth. — Spent this day at Peterhofif, with W. C. Gillibrand 
and wife, with two of their friends. It is the first opportunity 
we have had for serious conversation in this place, and I 
hope it was to mutual comfort. They took us a drive after 
dinner to see several of the Emperor's pavilions, mostly 
surrounded by beautiful pieces of water. There was an 
intelligent man present, who had spent some time in India, 

Watson ; he now has charge of the British school in 

Petersburg. We find the Scripture Lessons are no more in 
use in the school ; nor is the New Testament in the Russian 
language allowed to be circulated in the country. The Bible 
Society is just alive, but can hardly breathe ; other institu- 
tions languish for want of support ; party spirit has crept in 
to their great injury. The law is still very stringent in not 
allowing a member of one religious body to join another ; 
but the dijfferent sects are allowed their own worship and 
schools. 

20th. — Left Petersburg by the train at 11 o'clock yester- 
day, and arrived at Moscow about nine this morning. The 
road, with but little exception, is flat and uninteresting. The 
forests are immense, mostly of firs and birch, which being 
thickly set grow small. Many of the stations are superb. 
The line of railway did not conduct us near any towns or 
villages that I could observe, but by some of the poorest 
scattered huts I ever saw in any country. 

At Moscow, John Yeardley and his companion called 
on Pastor Dietrich, a German, residing a little out of 
the city : — 

He is, says J. Y., in one of his letters, a worthy pastor of 
the Old Lutheran Church, a sweet venerable-looking man 



^T. 67.] MOSCOW. 403 

"with long white locks. He was at dinner with his family 
when we called, but he would not allow us to go away, but 
took us up to the attic story to his study ; primitive indeed, 
but clean, and to him I have no doubt a room of prayer, as 
well as of study. He seemed delighted to find our mission 
was to the Colonies. '^But what will you do about the 
language ?" said he ; " they speak nothing but G-erman." I 
wish the dear girls could have seen his countenance lighted 
up with cheerful brightness, when he found we could speak 
German : " Ah, I need not trouble you any longer with ray 
poor English !" He knows a great many of the pastors, and 
will give us letters of introduction to the little flocks in the 
Colonies and the Crimea. 

As might be expected, it was with a sinking heart 
that John Yeardley contemplated the formidable jour- 
ney before him ; but, as in other times of extremity, he 
cast himself wholly upon the Lord, and found his soul 
to be sustained, and his courage renewed to undergo 
the hardships that awaited him. 

7 mo. 21. — Eose this morning much cast down in mind at 
the thought of our long journey, and a want of a knowledge 
of the Kussian language. Poured my complaint in fervency 
of soul before the Lord, and was a little comforted in believ- 
ing that he would still care for us and preserve us in this 
strange and long wilderness travel. It is his own cause in 
which I am engaged, and I am willing to endure any bodily 
fatigue if I may only be strengthened to do the works to which 
my blessed Master has called me. The Divine Finger seems 
pointing to the place where the people I am seeking are to be 
found. 

I went after breakfast to the dear Pastor Dietrich. His 
heart was filled with love for me, and I felt the sweetness of 
his spirit to encourage me ; preciously was the divine unction 
spread over us. He gave me some information of the reli- 
gious state of things here. There seems to be about 800 of 
the evangelical party in Moscow, including the French and 



404 JOURNEY FROM MOSCOW. [1853. 

English Protestants, and the different classes of Lutherans ; a 
small number, out of 350,000 souls which the city contains ; 
the rest are Eoman Catholics and of the Greek church, mostly 
the latter. God knows the hearts of all. 

22nd [?]. "In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; let me 
never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness. Bow 
down thine ear to me ; deliver me speedily : be thou my 
strong rock, for a house of defence to save me." — (Ps. xxxi. 
1, 2.) " Hear the right, Lord, attend unto my cry ; give ear 
unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips." — (Ps. xvii. 
1.) The above sweet words were brought home to my heart 
with power this morning after a time of conflict in spirit. 
Lord, grant me faith and patience to the end of the race, when 
I shall have to say, Now, Lord, lettest thou thy servant 
depart in peace. Amen. 

Providing themselves with food, and with small 
change of money for the journey — two things indis- 
pensable to Russian travel — John Yeardley and William 
E,asche left Moscow on the 23rd, by malle-poste for 
Orel. They stopped some hours at Toula : the land 
south of this town they found to be well-cultivated, and 
the harvest had begun ; it consisted mostly of rye. The 
journey to Orel occupied forty-four hours. Among their 
fellow-travellers was a resident of Moscow, Charles 
Uyttenhoven, who spoke English, German, French and 
E,uss, and who, like themselves, was going to Kharkov. 
He was a pleasant and gentlemanly companion, and was 
of great service to them in acting as spokesman on the 
road. 

From Orel there was no malle-poste in which they 
could continue their journey, and they were obhged to 
hire a tarantas, or posting-carriage, a very inferior 
kind of conveyance. In consequence, besides, of the 
fair at Pultowa, every vehicle of this description had 
been taken up except one, which was of course the 



^T. 67.] TO lEKATERINOSLAY. 405 

worst in the town. When they had loaded their kig- 
giige and spread hay to he upon, they started; but 
before they were out of sight of the stable the crazy 
vehicle broke down, and they were detained till nearly 
eleven o'clock at night, whilst it was being repaired. 
In this new kind of conveyance they experienced great 
discomfort : they could neither sit nor lie with ease, as 
the space was much too small for three passengers. 
The country they passed through was very rich ; it 
may be called the granary of E,ussia; they found the 
harvest more advanced the farther they penetrated into 
the south. 

At Koursk they hired a fresh tarantas. The roads 
were inferior to those along which they had travelled, 
but the country was more picturesque, still fertile, and 
producing much wheat ; the weather was very hot, as it 
had been all the way from Petersburg. On the 27th, at 
midnight, they reached Kharkov. 

We have travelled, says John Yeardley, four days and 
nights in succession from Moscow to this place. The con- 
veyances of the country are exceedingly bad ; they almost 
shook our bones asunder. 

The next day they visited Pastor Landesen, to whom 
they had a letter of introduction from Pastor Dietrich. 
They spent the day with the family of this intelligent 
and pious man. Tea was spread in the garden, to which 
meal a number of Christian friends were invited. 



The pastor's wife, says John Yeardley, is a sweet-spirited 
woman. After much social converse our garden- visit closed 
with a religious occasion, in which I expressed a few words 
of exhortation. I think we were sensible of the nearness of 



406 RUSSIAN TRAVELLIXG. [1853. 

the presence of our Divine Master, whicli proved a brook by 
the dreary way. We met at the pastor's house Superinten- 
dent Iluber, a worthy and experienced Christian, kind and 
fotherly to us. 



The next day William Rasche went with Pastor 
Landesen to hire a carriage. Xo such thing, however, 
was to be had, and they would have been happy if they 
could have engaged as good a vehicle as their old crazy 
tarantas ; for the only alternative was a hauer-wagen 
(peasant's cart), if we except the very expensive extra- 
post carriage, with which they would have been obliged 
to take a conductor. It happened that a young man, 
an apothecary's assistant, w^anted to go to lekaterinoslav ; 
his ancestors were German, and he could speak both 
that lanofuao:e and Russ. Bv Landesen's recommenda- 
tion they took him as their companion, and he was very 
useful to them on the road. The hauer-wagen was 
much more uncomfortable than the tarantas had been ; 
travelling in it was like gallopping over a bad road 
in an English farmer's waggon ; and, as the vehicle had 
no cover, the travellers were exposed without protection 
to the full power of the sun. The floor of the waggon 
was spread with mattresses, and, thus famished, it 
served them for parlor, kitchen, and lodging-room. 

They travelled in this way through the night, but 
the next day were obliged to wait at a small dirty 
station for horses till the afternoon ; and in the evening 
John Yeardley became so ill, from hard travelling and 
exposure to the heat, that they were compelled to alight 
at another little station near Novomoskovsk, and make 
the best of the poor accommodation they could procure. 
The next morning, somewhat refreshed by rest, they 
went forwards to lekaterinoslav, where they happily 



MT. 67.] KYBALSK — THE COLONIES. 407 

met with a clean inn, tlie Hotel Suisse, kept by a 
German. 

The same day they v^ i: in a boat up the river 
Samava, to Rybalsk, seven miles, to see a German school- 
master named Schreitel, to whom they had a letter of 
introduction. This is a colony of twenty-five families, 
founded in 1788: the schoolmaster, who was also the 
minister, received them in a brotherly manner. It was 
here that their mission properly commenced. From this 
place a succession of German colonies extend in a south- 
easterly direction to the Sea of Azov. The villages are 
all built on the same pattern, being formed of one 
straight street of neat houses on both sides, adorned 
with trees in front and gardens behind. The German 
colonists consist principally of Mennonites and Lutherans. 
The former are the most numerous and thriving ; they 
were invited to settle there by Catherine the Great, in 
order to improve the state of agriculture ; but their 
example has not had the desired influence on the sur- 
rounding districts. Although his German neighbor is in 
an infinitely better condition than himself, the Russian 
peasant will not imitate the husbandry which is prac- 
tised so successfully before his eyes. 

At E,ybalsk, John Yeardley had a Scripture reading 
and a religious opportunity with a few serious persons 
who came to the house ; and the next evening he held 
a meeting for worship with the colonists. 

On the 3rd, they left for Neuhoffnung. They travelled 
in a covered carriage, which, though without springs, 
was a great improvement on their last vehicle. They 
came the first day as far as Konski, where they passed 
the night, sleeping in the carriage, the air being 
very mild the night through. In the afternoon they 



40S THE GERMAN' COLONIES. [1853. 

arrived at another INIennonite colony, Sclionweise, where 
they had a short interview with Pastor Obermanz and 
a few of his flock. These people produce a small 
quantity of silk. The travellers were now on the 
Steppes ; they found them vfery thinly peopled, so that 
all the country out of sight of the villages appeared like 
a vast desert. On the 4th they passed through three 
colonies — Griinthal, Priship, and Petershagen. The 
settlers here are from all parts of Germany, mostly 
irom Prussia and Wlirtemberg. Next came Halbstadt, 
the seat of the Bishop, and Alexanderwohl, where the 
Friends passed the night. They w^ere surrounded by a 
laro^e number of settlements on all sides. 

These were the places where, according to his pre- 
vious impressions and apprehension of duty, John 
Yeardley was to have entered on that w^ork of gospel- 
labor to which he had so long looked forward. But, 
instead of finding, as on former occasions of a similar 
kind, his heart enlarged and his mouth opened to preach 
the word, he seems now to have felt himself straitened 
in spirit, and to have been obliged to pass in silence 
from colony to colony, a wonder perhaps to others, a 
cause of humiliation to himself Never before, in all his 
many journeyings, had such a trial befallen him ; and it 
may be supposed that, coming so soon after the copious 
and unrestrained exercise of his gift which he had expe- 
rienced in Norway, it would press upon him with 
pecuHar force. The people to whom he was now 
come, seem, it is true, to have been in a different state 
from the simple-hearted Norwegians, who thirsted for 
the "pure milk of the word ;" and their comparative 
indifference to spiritual things may have been a main 
cause of the silence which he felt to be imposed upon 



^T. 67.] GNADENFELD. 409 

him. With the reserve natural to him, he has left but 
little clue to the motives and feelings under which he 
acted. Great must have been the relief when, as hap- 
pened on several occasions, his bonds were loosened, 
and the command was renewed to speak in the name 
of his only-loved and gracious Lord. 

On the 5th they passed through several colonies to 
Gnadenfeld, where, says J. Y. : — 

"We halted to breakfast with one of the colonists, and 
found him a sweet-spirited man, and his family pious. His 
name is David Voote. He appreciated the object of our 
mission, and spoke of the awakening that had taken place of 
late ; telling us that devotional meetings had been established, 
but that some of their preachers did not approve of them. 
We sent for one of the ministers, with whom I was pleased ; 
he invited us to hold a meeting with them on a future 
occasion if we could make it accord with our journey, which 
I hope will be accomplished. 

"We obtained some information respecting the Molokans, 
and were directed to ISTicolai Schmidt in Steinbach, who often 
has communication with them. AVe found him a delightful 
man, quite of the right sort to be useful to us. As the 
Molokans speak nothing but Russ, we shall be in want of an 
interpreter in our visit to them. I told him he must go with 
i\s ; and he immediately said, I will go with pleasure ; when- 
ever you return here and incline to go, I will be at home and 
will accompany you. This seemed an opening of Providence, 
and removes one great difficulty in the way of a visit to this 
people, for whom I have felt more than towards any others 
in South Russia. N. Schmidt is a wealthy farmer, and sets 
himself at liberty to promote the extension of the Saviour's 
kingdom ; I felt at once at home with him as a friend and 
brother. 

From Steinbach, which lay a few versts out of the 
direct road, they proceeded to Stuttgardt, and the next 

27 



410 NEUHOFFNUNG. [1853. 

day, the 6tli, to NeuhofFnung, where they were accom- 
modated at a farmer's, and had the comfort of a good 
clean apartment and kind attention to their wants. 
This is the principal seat of the German Lutheran 
colonists. 

On Seventh-day, says John Yeardley, we attended the 
school-children's meeting, about 200 present. After Pastor 
Wust had questioned on or explained the Scriptures, I had 
an opportunity to address them. On First-day afternoon we 
held an appointed meeting [with Wiist's congregation], which 
was not large, on account of many [with the Pastor himself] 
having to attend an interment in the neighborhood. After 
the meeting we received a salutation from some of the young 
sisterhood, who came to us and surprised us with their sweet 
melodious voices, singing in concert a hymn well suited to 
our present situation. After they had ended I went out and 
had a long conversation with them. 

In all my journeyings, he touchingly continues, I was never 
so much cast down as in this scene of labor ; I never before 
so much missed the help and consolation of my precious one 
as I now do; but, blessed be a gracious God, she is safe with 
Him, and free from a toil which she could never have endured. 
I marvel, and praise his great name for upholding me thus 
far; I am astonished at the way in which I am enabled to 
bear the hardships of this journey, and am preserved in 
health. It is the doing of my gracious Saviour, and I thank 
him out of a grateful heart. Should I never be permitted to 
return to m}^ earthly home, I have a joyful hope he will take 
me to a glorious rest with himself and with those I have so 
tenderly loved on earth. 

On the 8th, William Rasche went to Berdjansk, on 
the Sea of Azov, to change some Enghsh money, and 
to inquire if there were any religious people there. He 
met with some interesting persons, who seemed at first 
to oe prejudiced against the Friends but after some 



JET. 67.] BERDJANSK. 411 

conversation became very loving, and desired he would 
bring J. Y. to see them the next day. Accordingly, on 
the 9th, J. Y. and W. E,. went to Berdjansk, accom- 
panied by Pastor Wiist and several others. The meeting 
which they went to attend was held in a private house. 
It commenced in the usual manner, with singing ; after 
which, BuUer read a chapter, and the pastor com- 
mented upon it; and then they asked J. Y. what he 
had to say regarding it. He ansv/ered by giving his 
view of the subject, and afterwards addressed them in 
the ministry. Various individuals then related their 
experience, one after the other, as is usual in the more 
private religious meetings in these churches. 

Buller (writes J. Y., in recording this meeting) is an 

interesting man ; I had much conversation with him as to his 
own conversion. It seems to have been a work of the Spirit, 
without, in the first instance, any other instrumentality than 
reading the Bible. I met several pious persons in the meeting- 
room, and held converse with them to mutual comfort. Thej 
are simple and sincere. We took tea in the garden after the 
meeting, and did not reach our lodging in Neuhofihung until 
12 o'clock the same night. 

10th. — This morning they started for EHzabethsdorf, 
accompanied by Eobert Lehmkuhle, a teacher from 
Kharkov. Their way lay entirely through the bound- 
less steppes, where so many ways ran into each other 
that the driver missed the road, and they wandered 
about until 10 P. m., when they took shelter at a German 
colonist's. The inmates, who had gone to rest, rose to 
give them milk and bread. 

The next day they proceeded to EHzabethsdorf, being 
escorted on the way by hospitable members of the 
settlements through which they passed. At Elizabeths- 



412 elisabethsdOrf. [1853. 

dorf they were received by schoolmaster Seib, a brotherly 
Christian man, whose conversation was " seasoned with 
grace." 

After tea, says John Yeardley, we held a devotional meeting, 
in which I had an opportunity to address the little company ; 
but the people generally in the colonies are busy till late in 
the evening. Being much weary with our jolting journey, I 
retired to the waggon for the night, as I supposed ; but W. R. 
soon came to inform me that a number of young persons, men 
and women, were come, it being as early as they could be 
liberated from their day's labor, to have some of our company. 
I sprang from the waggon with joy, and we had a delightful 
meeting, with a pretty large company. They sang repeatedly, 
and betweentiraes I related to them something of my travels 
in Germany and Greece, with which they appeared wonderfully 
pleased. We were all served with tea out of doors, and the 
company remained together till after eleven o'clock, and then 
returned joyfully home. 

I was much pleased with Seib. He and another school- 
master, named Kapper, have been dismissed from their office 
of teacher, because of their holding private meetings and 
preaching in them, or explaining the Scriptures. Some of 
the Lutheran ministers are so lifeless that they will not allow 
the people to meet in private for their edification. The dead 
persecute the living, and light struggles with darkness. This 
is even the case in some districts among the Mennonites. 
The ministers fear that their people should go before them in 
religious light. The more I see of the one-man system, the 
more I prize the gospel liberty in my own beloved religious 
Society. 

They returned to NeuhofFnung, and on the 13th went 
to Nicolai Schmidt's at Steinbach. 

Attended the meeting there in the morning, and at 
Gnadenfeld in the evening, in both which places oppor- 



JET. 67.] THE MOLOKANS. 413 

tunity was given me to communicate what was in my heart 
for the people. 

The settlements of the Molokans, consisting of three 
villages, each of about a thousand inhabitants, lie to the 
south of the German colonies. These people are native 
Russians and seceders from the Russo-Greek church ; 
they receive their name from the word Moloko, milk, 
because they drink milk on fast-days, which is forbidden 
by the national religion. The Steppes are their Siberia, 
to which they have been banished. Their worship is 
simple, commencing with silence and prayer, and they 
do not use the ceremonies and discipline common 
among most other Christians; but they are firm be- 
lievers in the Christian faith, and many of them are 
spiritually-minded people. 

On the 15th John Yeardley and William Rasche, 
under the conduct of N. Schmidt, left Neuhoffhung to 
visit the Molokans. The first village they came to was 
Novo-Salifks, a prosperous colony in worldly matters, 
but said to be behind the others in spiritual life. At 
the next, Wasilowkov, they met with Terenti SederhoflP, 
the apostle of the Molokans, whose remarkable history 
J. Y. related in a tract called The Russian Peasant, 
forming No. 12 of his series. Here they also met with 
A. Stajoloff, who remembered William Allen's visit in 
1819. SederhofF accompanied them to the third village, 
Astrachanka, where they had a conversational meeting 
with several of the chief men, but the intercourse was 
carried on at a double disadvantage. 

They spoke, says John Yeardley, nothing but Euss. I 
never regretted more the want of the language. Schmidt 
had a manifest unwillingness to interpret all I wanted to say, 
because it did not accord with his own sentiments, and he 



414 THE TARTARS. [1853. 

feared it might strengthen the people in those views from 
which the Mennonites would draw them. There was a pre- 
cious feeling over us, and I felt assured they appreciated our 
motive in visiting them ; they often pressed my hand when 
comparing Scripture texts on which we were of one mind. 
I felt satisfied in having done what I could to direct them in 
the right way, and to strengthen them in it. They are well 
read in the Scriptures. 

The travellers passed tlie night at this village, sleeping 
as usual in their carriage ; and the next day, taking a 
loving leave of their friends, directed their course over 
the steppes into the Crimea. Here they found them- 
selves in the heart of the Tartar country, beyond the 
verge of civilized life. 

The Tartar villages, says John Yeardley, are the meanest 
possible, consisting sometimes of mere holes dug in the earthy 
or huts standing a little above the ground. The men wear 
wide drawers with the pink shirt over them; the women 
have a chemise reaching to the calf of the leg, dirty and 
coarse, an apron round the waist, sometimes so scanty or so 
ragged that it will not meet, and a handkerchief tied in a 
slovenly manner on the head. In these three articles of dress 
they drive the horses and oxen ; the sun burns them to a dark 
brown, almost black. The children we saw were quite naked. 
Various attempts have been made to civilize and instruct them, 
but without success. One missionary pursued the work so 
far as to feed and clothe the children, and collect them for 
instruction, which they received for a while, but all at once 
and with one consent it was at an end. When I see the Tar- 
tar galloping over the steppe as if riding on the wind, it con- 
stantly makes me think of the wild Arabs. When we are 
anxious to find a well of water where we may take our meal, 
and when we see travellers assembled to water their cattle 
and flocks, and the camels running loose on the steppes — which 
they do till autumn, when they are sought up for work, — all 
reminds us of the customs of the East. 



MT. 67.] A SUSPICIOUS HALTiNG-PLACE. 415 

This evening they halted at a Tartar village, where 
the occupant of the traktir^ or house of entertainment, 
persuaded the driver to take out his horses for the 
night. The conduct of this man and his companions 
was suspicious ; they eagerly examined the mattresses 
of the travellers, which were of superior quality ; and 
when William E,asche came to make the tea, which he 
did by the moonlight outside the hut, the boiling water 
which he poured in to rinse the teapot came out into 
the tumblers a w^hite liquid ; and after the tea was put 
in the innkeeper held up the pot against the moon, and 
looked curiously into it. Instead of retiring early, as 
the Tartars always do, the men in the hut kept a watch 
upon the travellers ; and the suspicions even of the 
driver were awakened, when one of them came to him, 
as he was lying by his horses, to borrow his knife. His 
horses, however, were so weary, and he himself so 
unwilling to move, that the travelers contented them- 
selves with harnessing the horses, and making ready to 
depart in case of necessity. Soon after midnight, finding 
they w^ere still watched by the Tartars, and apprehend- 
ing that these waited only till they should all be asleep, 
to carry off their horses or to rob their persons, they 
decided to make the best of their way out of their 
hands. The driver being slow to move, W. K. jumped 
into his place, seized the reins, and drove quickly off, 
thankful to have effected a safe escape. It is very 
common for the Tartars to prowl about in the night, 
and steal the horses and w^aggons of their more settled 
and thrifty neighbors. 

xlfter about three hours' driving, the moon shining so 
bright that they could see to read by it, they arrived 
at another village, of a less suspicious character. 

On the 18th they reached Simpheropol, where they 



416 THE CRIMEA. [1853. 

were glad to rest. The next day they wished to visit 
Pastor Kilius of Neusatz, to whom they had an intro- 
duction : as they were considering how they should get 
to him, he opportunely came to the hotel. He intro- 
duced them to several estimable persons, and took 
them the next day to his dwelling, situate in a pictur- 
esque mountain village, twenty versts from the city. 
At Neusatz commences another chain of German colo- 
nies, settled by the Evangelical Lutherans. The next 
morning they attended the public worship, and in the 
afternoon the Scripture- teaching for the children. On 
the 22nd they went to Ziirichthal, a village formed of 
well-built houses, but where they found the school in a 
very low state. The 23rd they started early for the 
Sudag colony, intending to spend the time there until 
the departure of the steamer for Odessa; but they 
found nothing to interest them in this settlement, and 
accordingly proceeded to Feodosia, (or KafFa,) a water- 
ing-place on the south coast of the Crimea. The German 
inns in this place were all full, and to procure a whole- 
some lodging, they drove the next day four miles among 
the hills, where they hired a large apartment at the 
house of a German. The situation was romantic, with 
an extensive prospect over sea and mountains ; and on 
the hill-side was a thicket, forming a delightful bower, 
where John Yeardley and his companion " live by day, 
walked, talked, reposed, and wrote." In this retreat, 
breathing cool air and quietude, J. Y. received the phy- 
sical refreshment he so much needed, while he reviewed 
the course of his laborious journey. Notwithstanding 
his discouragements, he was able to cast all his burden 
upon his Saviour, with whom he seems to have dwelt in 
nearer communion as his day on earth went down. 



iET. 67.] ODESSA — RELIGIOUS STATE OF THE EAST. 417 

8 mo, 26. — This morning I felt more sweet union with my 
God in spirit than for a long time ; and a strong desire has 
arisen to live in closer communion with Jesus, the beloved 
of my soul, the only access to the Father — the only place of 
rest, safety, and true peace. I long more than ever not to 
be troubled with cross occurrences over which I have no 
control, and which have too long perplexed me and disturbed 
my inward peace. I long more than ever to spend my few 
remaining days on earth as with my God in heaven, to refer 
everything to him, and to pray more earnestly and diligently 
for his grace to preserve me near to himself under all circum: 
stances, until he shall have prepared me to be taken to heaven, 
to join the happy company there in a blissful eternity. " Thou 
wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee, 
because he trusteth in thee." — Isa. xxvi. 3. 

On the 1st of the Ninth Month they sailed to 
Odessa, where they had to remain eight days. In this 
city they received a visit from a pastor, who conversed 
with them on the work of the heavenly kingdom then 
going on in the East, especially in Constantinople and 
Asia Minor. 

The Saviour's kingdom, writes John Yeardley, in allusion 
to this conversation, is spreading, and many instruments are 
being raised up in various nations to help forward the great 
work. The kingdom of Satan is in danger ; he sees it, and 
stirs up the jealousy of men, setting them against one another, 
and, by their seeking through party -spirit to exalt their own 
particular religion, hindering the Lord's work. Into what- 
ever nation the beams of the Sun of Righteousness shine, 
the inhabitants begin to inquire the way to Zion, and turn 
their faces thitherward. This alarms the rulers whose king- 
dom is of this world. 

From Odessa to Constantinople they had a quick and 
safe passage. At Constantinople John Yeardley was 
deeply interested in the institutions which the American 



418 CONSTANTINOPLE — MISSIONARY SCHOOLS. [185^. 

missionaries have founded for the religious and temporal 
improvement of the Armenians. He visited two of 
these, the high school at Bebek and the girls' seminary 
at Has-keui, both beautifully situated on the shores of 
the Bosphorus. In the former they found forty-eight 
young men, — sixteen Greek and thirty-two Armenian. 
The industrial part of the education was particularly 
gratifying to him. 

Cyrus Hamlia, he says, who has the superintendence of 
their studies and labor, is wonderfully adapted for his voca- 
tion. He is assisted only by native teachers. The young 
men looked serious : some of their countenances were pecu- 
liarly impressive, indicating that they had been with Jesus. 
I saw them assembled in the school- room, and addressed 
them for some time ; and C. Hamlin most willingly interpreted 
into Armenian what I said. It was a sweet and memorable 
time. The Armenian teacher would scarcely let go my 
hand after the meeting, he had been so touched with the 
power of divine love. In the girls' boarding-school we found 
twenty-five girls, all Armenians, with the exception of two or 
three Greeks. It was a lovely sight to see so many of this 
class under a course of religious and useful instruction. Many 
of the countenances were marked and pleasing, and were fixed 
on me with great apparent seriousness while I addressed 

them, along with some of the neighbors. Everett (the 

conductor of the school) kindly and most willingly inter- 
preted what I had to communicate. He and his wife have 
also a day-school for boys and girls. I consider these insti- 
tutions as bright and hopeful spots in the East, from which 
much good may arise. 

The persevering and well-directed efforts of the 
American missionaries for the evangelization of the 
Armenians, and the field of Christian labor which was 
thus opened, took firm hold of J. Y.'s mind; he longed 
to visit the schools and congregations in Isnik and 



.^T. 67.] SMYENA — THE KESTOEIANS. 419 

Brusa, and probably only abandoned the journey at tliis 
time in the hope of undertaking it at some future day. 
John Yeardley describes Constantinople as — 

Built entirely on the hills which slope from a considerable 
eminence down to the Bosphorus. The trees towering among 
the houses, the high spires and gilded domes, have a most 
imposing effect ; but what is the astomshment of the traveller 
when he commences his ascent up steep, narrow, clumsily- 
pitched streets. I could only compare them to the worst- 
constructed bridle-roads in England which the packhorses 
traversed centuries ago. The three days we were in the city 
I only saw one or two carriages, — the most curious vehicles ; 
indeed, there is scarcely a street in which two carriages can 
pass. Donkeys are the chief carriers. As to dogs, they are 
born and bred in the streets and are the property of the town, 
and in the day-time lie by dozens in the streets, young and 
old, are always under the feet of the traveller, and he must 
constantly poke them out of the way with his stick ; by night 
they are furious. The shops present a jumble of all kinds of 
wares ; and the Turks sit cross-legged in the window, or work 
at their trade inside. 

They left Constantinople on the 15th, and on the 17th 
went on shore at Smyrna, where, at the house of the 
American missionary Ladd, they met with another 
missionary, named Stacking, returning with his family 
from Persia, where he had labored sixteen years among 
the Nestorians. The account which he gave John 
Yeardley of the creed and condition of the Nestorian 
Church, and of the schools which had been opened in 
Persia, aroused his deep sympathy and produced an 
abiding impression on his mind. 

Smyrna, like the other Turkish cities which they 
saw, vividly impressed the travellers with its Oriental 
character. 



420 SMYRNA — ARGYRI CLIMI. [1853. 

Like Constantinople, says J. Y., it is a town of all nations. 
The streets are narrow, with a run of dirty water down the 
middle." We met docile camels in great number, bringing 
figs from the interior. In the fig-market were thousands of 
boxes being prepared and packed for exportation. It is a 
sight of interest to see Turks, Greeks, &c., huddled together, 
walking, talking, or sitting cross-legged and smoking their 
long pipes. We took donkeys and ascended the hill, where 
we obtained a good view of the town, and then examined the 
ruins where the ancient city stood, and saw the place where 
the message from Heaven was received by the angel of the 
church of Smyrna. The church of Polycarp stood not far 
from that of John the Baptist. After a visit of peculiar inte- 
rest, I returned to the steam -ship and read the message to the 
church of Smyrna, which gave rise to more reflections than I 
can here record. 

Steaming on the sea of Marmora, (to continue J. Y.'s 
narrative of his homeward journey), the Bosphorus and the 
Greek waters, was very pleasing. We had a good sight of 
the walls of ancient Troas, where the apostle Paul received 
the message in vision from the man of Macedonia, to come 
over and help them. The quarantine prevented us from 
landing at Syra ; but I conveyed a note through the English 
Consul to my old friend Hildner, who came alongside our 
steamer. I learned from him that Argyri Climi was five 
years in his school, and usefully filled the office of teacher of 
the higher classes ; had been married about ten years to a 
lieutenant in the army; had three children, and was living 
happily with her husband at the Pirseus. It appears she 
retains her religious principles. 

21sL — Arrived at Malta. Ours is the first steamer that 
has reached the island since the removal of the quarantine ; 
we went on shore directly after breakfast. Isaac Lowndes 
was rejoiced to see me. We met in the street, and he con- 
ducted us to his house. He has been in Malta seven years, 
acting for the Bible Society ; he gives no bright account of 
progress among the Greeks, as to spiritual religion, nor of 
things in the island generally. The present governor has 



^T. 67.] MALTA — NISMES. 421 

admitted the Jesuits into tlie island, who are doing mischief; 
privileges are being granted to the Romanists to the pre- 
judice of the Protestants ; and a regulation has been proposed 
which would subject a Protestant to six months imprisonment 
for not taking off his hat when he meets the procession of the 
Host. 

Isaac Lowndes took John Yeardley and William 
Rasche to visit Selim Aga, or, as he was named after 
baptism, Edward Williams ; who with his wife, sister- 
in-law, and four children, formed an interesting Chris- 
tian household. J. Y. published the history of this man 
in No. 13 of his series of tracts, Turkey and the Con- 
verted Turk^ where also he has depicted several scenes 
from the latter part of this journey. 

Arriving at Marseilles, they proceeded quickly on to 
Nismes. It was with a gush of natural sorrow that 
J. Y. revisited a place where he had often sojourned with 
his beloved wife. 

The thought, he writes, of the difference in m j circum- 
stances now and when last in this place fills me with sorrow. 
The beloved one of my bosom, then the stay and solace of my 
heart, is no more with me to help and comfort me in the toils 
of life. Yet when I consider what a large amoimt of suffer- 
ing she has escaped, I cannot but rejoice that she is at rest 
with her God and Saviour, where I humbly hope soon to 
meet her. Lord, prepare thy unworthy worm for that awful 
but joyful day ! 

John Yeardley held a small public meeting at 
Nismes, and the next day, the 3rd of the Tenth Month, 
set out for the bathing-place of Bagneres de Bigorre, 
in the Pyrenees. His principal reason for going there 
was to recruit his shattered health. " On our arrival 
at Nismes," he says, " and during our few days' sojourn 
there, I began to feel the effects of my long, toilsome 



422 BAGNERES DE BIGORRE. [1853. 

Russian jonrney ; and, in the hope of preventing a 
return of my suffering complaint, I thought it justifiable 
to make trial of the sulphur baths and water of Bag- 
neres." But he had also another object in view : " I 
had long thought," he adds, in a letter from Bigorre, 
" whether there was not a seeking people in this neigh- 
borhood, and now I think there is." 

His first care on arriving at Bigorre, was to call on 
Pastor Frossard, formerly of* Nismes, who feelingly re- 
minded him of the changes which had happened to each 
of them since they had met before. He proposed 
to John Yeardley to meet some Christian friends at his 
chapel. This was just what J. Y. had been wishing for. 
The meeting was held; and after it was over he gave 
the company an account of his travels in Russia, with 
which they were highly gratified. 

In a letter to his sister, Mary Tylor, which he wrote 
from this place, is the following characteristic senti- 
ment: 

Thy welcome letter duly reached me at Nismes, and drew 
forth my tender sympathy for thee and your whole circle in 
the loss of a kind and beloved brother. It is another link 
taken from the family chain, and the shorter it becomes the 
nearer we are drawn together in the bond of affection. How 
the spirit seems to ascend with those loved ones who are 
taken from us, and from earth to heaven ! Our desire for a 
blissful eternity becomes more ardent, because they have 
already entered upon it ; but above all, we desire to be with 
Him in whom ue shall be one, and all will be glory. 

Returning to Nismes, he occupied himself with 
holding meetings in many places in that neighborhood. 
In some meetings which he attended in the city, he had 
for fellow-laborers Eli and Sybil Jones, from the 



JET. 67.] NISMES. 423 

United States, with their companions. Amongst the 
audience at one of these meetings were three soldiers, 
who, with two others, had been awakened at Lyons, and 
who manifested the progress they had made in Chris- 
tian doctrine by refusing to kneel before the procession 
of the Host. Their officer observing their disregard of 
this required practice, held his sword over the neck of 
one of them, saying he would strike off his head if he 
did not bow down. The man was firm in his refusal, 
and was sent to prison. To encourage one another in 
their new profession, these men were accustomed to 
keep religious meetings. They were in consequence 
accused of sedition, and when they asserted the simply 
rehgious character of their meetings, one of them was 
required to swear to the truth of his statement; he 
refused to take an oath, pleading that the New Testa- 
ment commanded him not to swear. A second was 
then called upon in the same way; he also refused; 
and their stedfastness was reported to the command- 
ing officer as an act of contumacy. The officer hap- 
pened to be a Protestant, of an enlightened and pious 
disposition ; he said that soldiers were called upon to 
vindicate the innocence of their companions, not to 
procure their condemnation, and that if they did not 
choose to give evidence the law would not compel them. 
Two of the five received their discharge from the army ; 
the rest were removed to Nismes. John Yeardley had 
some conversation with these three after the meeting, 
with which he was well satisfied. They told him that 
when they were awakened they wrote and received so 
many letters that it excited suspicion, and that the 
police who examined the letters took the texts of 
Scripture, or rather the figures that referred to the 



424: piALOUx. [1853. 

chapters and verses, for a secret language, used to de- 
ceive their vigilance. 

On the 8th of the Eleventh Month, J. Yeardley and 
W. Kasche, accompanied by Jules Paradon, went to 
Valence, and visited Bertram Combe, at Pialoux, where 
they remained a few days, B. C. had fitted up a com- 
modious room adjoining his own dwelling, where he 
held meetings regularly: — 

And where, says J. Y., we had several solemn and edifying 
occasions; and as our .being there became more known the 
attendance increased, so that the last gathering was quite a 
large one, and pecuUarly quiet and satisfactory. Among 
some meetings which we appointed in the neighborhood two 
were held in the temple of the Protestant Church, which was 
a mark of great liberality ; these two occasions were pecu- 
liarly favored. In the latter B. C. alluded to the persecution 
he had had to endure on account of the disuse of the Supper 
and Baptism. He boldly avowed the conviction he felt as to 
the non-use of these things, and that the preaching of the 
gospel ought to be free. I have seldom been in a district 
where there is more openness for the gospel message in its 
simplicity, than in this mountain region. 

From Valence, John Yeardley returned direct to 
^ England, only stopping at Friedrichsdorf, where he visited 
the boarding-school. 

I reached my home, he says, on the 24th of the Eleventh 
Month, with a thankful heart to my Heavenly Father for his 
merciful preservation. 



CHAPTER XX. 

FROM HIS EETURN" FROM RUSSIA TO HIS LAST JOURNEY. 

1853—1858. 

John Yeardley had scarcely returned to England 
before war was declared with Eussia. The confirmation 
he received from this lamentable event, that his journey 
had been made at the opportune time, filled his heart 
with gratitude. The work he had been able to do had 
been small, but he had the satisfaction of knowing that 
it had been accomplished at the only juncture in which 
it would have been practicable. 

The year 1853, he writes, closed with many mercies to a 
poor unworthy servant. I consider it a great blessing to have 
accomplished the visit through Eussia and to Constantinople 
before the horrible war broke out. What a frightful state 
are things in at the present moment ! — no access could be had 
to those countries. 

In the Spring of 1854 he spent some time at Bath. 
He attended, whilst there, a public meeting appointed 
by Sarah Squire, in which he had a testimony to ofi'er 
in the gospel. Hearing afterwards that a military man 
who was present had been brought to conviction by the 
doctrine which had been declared, J. Y. noted in his 
Diary the subject on which he had preached. 

4 mo. 2. — I recollect, he says, alluding to the awful state 

of the times in which we live, and the need of a refuge in 

God, and the blessedness of the consolations of the Holy 

Spirit in a time of trouble. That the Spirit of God was the 

28 (425) 



426 THE YEARLY MEETING. [1854. 

first agent in the work of man's salvation, bringing to the 
Saviour who died for sinners : the Father drawing to the Son, 
the Son perfecting the work, and presenting each member 
of the living church without spot or wrinkle to the Father. 
Blessed unity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit ! The Father 
creating, the Son redeeming, the Holy Spirit sanctifying. 

In making a brief note of the Yearly Meeting this 
year, John Yeardley takes occasion to record his senti- 
ments on a subject which then, as now, strongly engaged 
the attention of the Society. 

The Yearly Meeting has been a precious time: it has 
strengthened the bond of love and unity. There is, under 
all discouragements, a love to the Society manifested in the 
young people of both sexes. It is true there is a great want 
of bearing of the cross, and many are seeking for excuses to 
persuade themselves that many of those things that have long 
distinguished our Society are now no longer of use. But I 
still think there is more religion in many of our young 
members than their outward appearance would authorize us 
to believe. I love to cleave to the good, and to hold out a 
helping hand to encourage the tender budding of grace, and 
for the good to overcome the evil. I want them to be brought 
to conviction, and to be told that they are not required to 
wear plain clothes, and to use plain speech, because our 
Friends have done so, but because Christianity leads into 
simplicity, and the language of Scripture is that of truthful- 
ness, and to follow the changing fashions of the world is too 
low for the notice of the Christian whose heart is placed on 
heavenly things, and whose time is too precious to be spent 
on trifles. There is no peace to the regenerated heart equal 
to a devotedness of life in promoting the extension of the 
Saviour's kingdom upon earth. 

He soon after alludes to the Memoir of Joseph John 
Gurney, then just published, and to the sharp stimulus 
which he received from its perusal — a stimulus which 



JET. 68.] LIFE OF J. J. GURNEY — DIARY. 427 

minds fixed upon improvement always receive from 
the vivid representation of time and talents diligently 
employed. 

6 mo. 16. — Many of my solitary moments are cheered, and I 
am greatly edified, in reading J. J. Gnrney's Memoirs. It is a 
real privilege to be introduced into tlie daily walk of tlie 
life of a Christian man with such an enlightened and enlarged 
mind, whose expansive heart is filled with love for the whole 
human race. Strengthened by faith, and filled with the 
unction of the Spirit, his life was devoted to doing good to the 
family of man, laboring for the conversion of sinners, and 
comforting believers. 

The diligence of J. J. Gurney in study, &c., has stimulated 
me to renew the reading of the Greek New Testament, but 
I sink into the dust when I see what he accomplished in com- 
parison of my own insignificance. It is, however, a comfort 
to know that I have a merciful Lord, who will not require of 
me the exercise of gifts that I have not received. that I 
may be more faithful in the employment of the capacity which 
has been entrusted to me, for the good of souls and the honor 
of my Lord ! 

The reflections which follow add another to the num- 
berless testimonies of the saints' experience, that the 
Christian life is a continual warfare. 

I am sensible of having lost ground for some time past for 
want of more diligence in watchfulness and prayer. I have 
been deeply sorry for it, and I do hope my compassionate 
Lord has forgiven me. As a proof of his forgiveness, I am 
permitted to enjoy once more the smiles of his countenance, 
which cheer my lonely walk. How greatly do I long for 
more intimate communion with the Beloved of my soul, the 
precious Saviour ! Lord preserve me in everi/ moment of 
temptation, and make me more entirely thine ! Grant me 
more confidence in the immediate action of thy Spirit in the 
ministry of the word, that my communications of this nature 



428 DiAEY. [1854. 

may be deep and clear, and under the unction of thy Holy 
Spirit. Amen ! 

6 mo, 23. — This morning I have been favored, more than 
usual, in my endeavor to pour out my soul before God in 
prayer, in desiring more purity of heart, more faith ; and that 
it might please my compassionate Lord to sustain and console 
me in my solitary lot, and preserve me faithful to the end of 
the race. Many relatives and near friends were brought to 
my remembrance, whom I endeavored to present to the 
mercy of a merciful God. 

In the same diary is an appropriate notice of Dr. 
Steinkopf, and a tender tribute to the memory of Martha 
Yeardley. 

The other evening was spent at J. and M. C. S.'s with Dr. 
Steinkopf " The hoary head " of this aged and experienced 
Christian is as " a crown of glory," for "it is found in the way 
of righteousness." He is full of love, speaking constantly 
out of a grateful heart of the mercies of his God. Before 
parting he read a few verses, exhorted us, and supplicated 
for us. 

A little more than three years have fled away since my 
precious and dearly-beloved M. Y. entered on a blissful 
eternity. How do I feel the loss of her sweet, cheerful, and 
edifying society ! Ever since her blessed spirit fled from 
earth to heaven, she has never by night or day been long 
absent from my thoughts. How often does my soul pant and 
pray for a preparation of heart for that blissful state where 
she now is, near to her precious Saviour, who redeemed her 
with his own blood. He enabled her to serve him when on 
earth, and now she sings his praises in heaven. What a 
charm did she impart to my daily life! Our pursuits were 
always one and the same ; and now what a desert I still have 
before me, — but it may be very short. 

In the Eighth Month, John Yeardley went to Minden 
on a visit to Ernst Peitsmeyer, whose daughter Sophie 



MT. 69.] MINDEN-. 429 

had been for some time his kind and cheerful com- 
panion, and who now, with her parents and other 
friends, welcomed him again to Germany. Whilst at 
Minden he derived benefit from the sulphur baths of 
the Klause, not far from the town. 

The bath, he says, is one hour's gentle exercise on the 
saddle. The farm where the spring is stands quite alone in 
the midst of a wood, and the way to it is dehghtful, — much 
suited to my taste. Sophie rides sometimes with me ; it 
cheers me to have her trotting by my side. 

The handful of inquiring persons at Obernkirchen, 
whom J. Y. visited on his return from Norway, con- 
tinued to claim his sympathy, and one First-day he 
joined them at their usual place of worship. 

It was, he writes, a refreshing time in this little meeting. 
When the little company first met together they were dragged 
into the street by the police ; but they persevered, and, on 
making an appeal to the magistrate at Einteln, stated their 
case with so much simplicity that the government has granted 
them liberty to meet together undisturbed. How marvellous, 
the Friends are protected ; and the Baptists, under the same 
government, are persecuted with increasing rigor ! Ko inter- 
ference on their behalf has been of the least use. — (Diary and 
Letter.) 

In the Fourth Month of 1855 John Yeardley received 
a certificate " to visit his friends in Yorkshire, and to 
hold meetings with persons not in church-fellowship" 
with Friends. 

I arrived at Halifax, he says, in a letter of the 28th of 
the Fourth Month, on Fifth-day evening, and attended the 
Monthly Meeting of Brighouse on the 20th. It looked for- 
midable to me in prospect on the first entering into harness ; 



4:30 VISIT TO YORKSHIRE. [1855. 

but I hope the meeting proved a good introduction; and I 
saw a good specimen of a largC; harmoniouS; and well-con- 
ducted Monthly Meeting. There might be near 250 members 
present. 

When he had completed the service, he took a week 
of repose at Harrowgate, where he briefly reviews his 
journey. 

5 mo. 29. — In passing along through my native county, I 
found many countenances missing which were very familiar 
to me years ago, and who are now gone to their rest. But I 
was comforted to find in many places a race of young people 
springing up who bore the marks of being plants of my Hea- 
venly Father's right-hand planting, and who gave hopes of 
becoming useful in his Church. It is with a grateful heart that 
I record the mercy of my Lord, in that he has granted me 
strength in a remarkable manner to do what he put in my 
heart to do, from place to place. Blessed be his name ! 

After having finished the service in Yorkshire, I have had 
a week's tarriance at Harrowgate. The rest and quiet have 
proved beneficial to my health, and very precious have been 
the seasons of sweet communion I have been permitted to 
hold with my God in this retirement. 

This summer he repeated his visit to Minden, and 
hired a lodging at the Klause. A reflection in one of 
the letters which he wrote from this retreat affords a 
pleasing glimpse of his mind : — 

T sometimes think that a large portion of c )mfort and joy 
are allowed to those who really love the Lord ; and how 
chastened are the pleasures of the humble Christian ! They 
abide with us long after the causes of them are passed away ; 
and the more our permitted pleasures are enjoyed under a 
grateful sense of the goodness of the bountiful Giver, the 
longer they may be permitted to us. 

In the Ninth Month, he attended the Two-months' 



M^. 69.] NEUVEYILLE. 431 

Meeting at Pyrmont. It was not without emotion that 
he visited once more the place which had been so fami- 
liar to him in earlier days. The hopes he had then 
conceived, and which, as we have seen, he had so fondly 
cherished, with regard to the Society of Friends in that 
part, had been disappointed; the little company had 
dwindled in numbers and declined in religious influence; 
and when he took leave of Pyrmont for the last time, 
it was with a sorrowful heart. 

From Minden, accompanied by Sophie Peitsmeyer, 
he went southwards, and took up his abode at the little 
town of Neuveville, on the Lake of Bienne, in Switzer- 
land. 

I spent, lie says, two or three days at Neufchatel, antl 
visited many of my old friends in the place and neighbor-, 
hood ; but it was affecting to find how many of those I had 
known years ago were no longer on this earth. Madame 
Petavel was as warm-hearted as ever; the professor, her 
husband, is ripening for heaven. 

John Yeardley had gone to Neuveville with the 
intention of passing the winter in Switzerland. After 
remaining a month, however, he returned to England ; 
and this change of mind was the result of a remarkable 
circumstance. He became silent and reserved, with the 
air and manners of one who is not at peace with him- 
self; until one night, when he was heard to cry out in 
a loud tone, as though speaking to some one. The next 
rnorning at breakfast he appeared subdued and full of 
tenderness ; and on his young friend inquiring what had 
made him cry out in the night, he told her that he must 
return home, for there was more work for him to do. 
He said that a prospect of service in the gospel had 
latterly opened before him, and that as he had greatly 



432 PARIS. [1855. 

desired to remain in Switzerland, he had striven against 
the sense of duty and refused to yield; but that during 
the night he had had a vision, in which he heard the 
command repeated to return home and enter again 
upon his labor, and that he felt, as he thought, the 
touch of the heavenly messenger's hand. This caused 
him to call out ; and when he awoke, he found that 
willingness of spirit had taken the place of his former 
obstinacy. Thus turned from his own purpose, he set 
about to accomplish the will of his gracious Master with 
his usual resolution, and they made the best of their 
way back to England. The nature of the service which 
he saw before him is touched upon in the following 
passage from a letter, dated Neuveville, the 14th of the 
Tenth Month. 

My home duties press heavily upon rae Yery 

long have I thought about the young men, and the younger 
part of our Society ; and I have a hope the way will be made 
for my finding access to them, in a religious and social point 
of view. Should it be permitted, the Lord grant that it may 
tend to mutual comfort. 

John Yeardley returned through Paris. He spent a 
day or two in that great city, which he never saw "so 
quiet and free from soldiers." We extract from his 
Diary a short note of a conversation which took place 
at the table d'hote of the hotel where he lodged, and 
which appears to us to be of an instructive character. 

Two men contended respecting the motive by which 
mankind are influenced to good actions. One attri- 
buted it to reason; the other held that it was virtue 
which restrains from evil and impels to good, and 
maintained that we must do good actions from the love 



MT. 70.] PAEIS. 433 

of justice and virtue, and not from the fear of punish- 
ment or the hope of reward. The latter had the 
advantage over his antagonist in the argument : — 

I had not, says J. Y., taken part in the conversation ; hut 
at the close I felt constrained to tell the Christian that I 
confessed myself on his side, because he had defended the 
truth ; only that what he called virtue, I called the action of 
the Spirit of Ood in the heart of man. With much animation, 
he clasped my hands in his, and cried, "That is the very 
thing, — that is just what I mean !" 

In the year 1856, he engaged in two religious visits 
at home, both of them in accordance with the kind of 
service w^hich had been unfolded to him in the retire- 
ment of Neuveville, viz., mingled religious and social 
intercourse with his younger fellow-members. 

In reading the expression of his feelings in the 
prospect of the former of these engagements, it is in- 
structive to remark, that the same sense of entire 
dependence which had bowed his spirit when required 
in early life to make the first offering of this kind, was 
present with him when now called upon to go forth in 
his Master's name for the twentieth time, and when age 
and experience had given him reverence among men. 

1 mo. 8. — To-morrow is our Monthly Meeting, when I 
expect to propose to my Friends a visit to the meetings com- 
posing the Quarterly Meetings of Bristol and Somerset, and 
Gloucester and Wilts. Every time any fresh exercise turns 
ap for me, it always feels as if it was the first time of entering 
into the holy harness. If my friends permit me to proceed, 
I hope I shall be helped through it ; but it looks formidable. 

21st. — Bristol is like a great mountain looking me in the 
face, and weighing heavily upon my heart. 

The following short memoranda of the way in which 



434 VISIT TO BRISTOL. [1856. 

he was engaged at Bristol are taken from his letters ; 
the Diary, during his later years, supplies few notes, 
either of his labors or his experience : — 

8 mo, — I met at Eichard Fry's house a large number of 
young men and women teachers of the First-day School; 
forty-eight were present. An opportunity was offered for 
my receiving and also communicating information respecting 
schools and education. What makes the subject more inte- 
resting in Bristol, is the attendance of more than one hundred 
of the school children at meeting on First-day mornings, 
which, I think, has been the practice for about ten years, 
and their behavior is orderly and good. 

^Ist. — I am somewhat busily employed in this busy city 
in visiting the young men. I find very ready access to them^ 
and my engagement has the hearty concurrence of all my 
friends. I am abundantly convinced that it would have 
been a great mistake to have run away from the place with- 
out making the attempt at the performance of the present 
service. The usual meetings for worship have been seasons 
of divine favor, some of them, I think, extraordinarily so, 
which I consider a great mercy in my Heavenly Father, 
when I consider the weakness of the poor instrument. It 
has been announced for me to give a lecture this evening in 
the large meeting-house, on my travels in Europe, a sound 
which almost frightens me. Friends really do not know 
what a poor thing I am. 

By the kindness of a friend, we have been supplied 
with a pleasing personal reminiscence of John Yeardley's 
visit to Bristol, which will help to represent him as he 
was in later years. 

Bristol, 6 mo. 6, 1859. 

Since thou informed me of thy intention to compile a 
memoir of our late dear friend John Yeardley, I have endea- 
vored to recall the circumstances of his visit to this city in 
the spring of the year 1856. 



^T. 70.] CHARACTEK OF HIS SERVICE THERE. 435 

My impression is, tliat the most striking feature in liis 
character was his childlike simplicity, both in word and 
conduct. This very characteristic, whilst it really increased 
his influence for good, especiallj^ with the young, rendered 
it perhaps more difficult to trace, and now to describe, the 
precise manner in which it was exercised. I believe that 
his Christian labors here were very seasonable and very 
important, and that he was enabled to perform a service 
which scarcely any one else would have been equally qualified 
to render. 

There was in him, so far as my observation went, no ap- 
proach towards an assumption of spiritual dignity; nor was 
there, on the other hand, that which is perhaps a more fre- 
quent defect, anything oi feigned humility. His whole char- 
acter seemed to me perfectly unaffected. To whatever extent, 
' therefore, his natural disposition may have fitted him for 
profitable intercourse with the young, I think that the qualities 
which I have attempted to describe rendered him peculiarly 
acceptable to them. Many times, whilst he was amongst us, 
, he alluded— I believe even in his public ministry- — to his 
delight in their society, somewhat in this manner: "I love 
the company of those who tread the earth with an elastic step." 
This prominent trait in his character was a striking illus- 
tration of what may be termed the corrective tendency of true 
religion, by which in advanced life he was enabled to place 
himself, under the precious influence of the love of Christ, in 
thorough sympathy with those whose circumstances, in many 
respects, were so different from his own. 

But my object was to describe John Yeardley's meetings 
in Bristol. The truth is, however, that in describing the 
man, one seems most trul}^ to describe his service. In addi- 
tion to his family visits, he met a large company of our 
members in our meeting-house, and gave an interesting nar- 
rative of his journeys in Southern Russia and Greece. He 
afterwards invited many of our young friends, es|)ecially those 
who were engaged as teachers in our First-day Schools, to 
spend an evening with him. Meeting at the house of a kind 
friend, we had an opportunity of hearing from his own lips 



436 MiXDEN. [1856. 

some interesting details of his labors, cliiefly, I think, in 
reference to the schools in Greece. With characteristic 
simplicity, he made various inquiries respecting our own 
First-day Schools, in which he felt a deep interest. The 
occasion was of a very sociable and easy character, and well 
calculated to promote in his young friends the healthy tone 
of religious feeling which seemed so peculiarly to belong to 
himself. 



After Martha Yeardley's decease, and as years rolled 
on, his mind dwelt still more habitually and more con- 
fidingly than ever on the approaching end of the race. 

4 rao. 24. — I cannot say my spirits are always high. There 
is an individuality in the allotment of each of us which we 
must seek for grace and aid to endure to the end. The road 
may be now and then a little rough, but it cannot be very 
long, at least to some of us ; and when the eye closes under 
the last gleam of earthly light, and then opens in the full 
brightness of eternal glory, to enjoy the fulness of a Saviour's 
love, it will be bliss indeed. 

Thinking his state of health unequal to the attend- 
ance of the Yearly Meeting, he left London and again 
resorted for a while to the baths near Minden, where he 
passed two months in tranquil retirement. He had in 
former visits been deeply interested in the sufferings 
of a Prussian soldier who refused conscientiously to 
bear arms. The late Samuel Gurney wrote to the King 
of Prussia, on behalf of the young man, who was in 
consequence liberated from military service, but was 
sentenced to two years' imprisonment. The term was 
not nearly expired ; but John Yeardley, whilst at 
Minden, heard that he had been released from prison 
by immediate command of the King. J. Y. had " spent 
a First-day with him within the gloomy walls in Duis- 



^T. 70.] BIRMINGHAM. 437 

burg," and was consequently the more ready to rejoice 
in his hberation. 

On his return to England, John Yeardley proceeded 
to Birmingham. His service in this and the neighbor- 
ing towns was similar to that which he had had to per- 
form at Bristol. He says : 

By day I called on the sick and such as were confined at 
home. In the evenings I met companies of young men and 
women. They were invited to the Friends' houses where tea 
was first served, and then a religious occasion of silence and 
exhortation, with supplication when felt to be under right 
pointing. The remainder of the evening was spent in social 
converse. I am very favorable to the mixing of social inter- 
course with gospel labor. All seemed pleased, and I trust 
we were mutually edified. I was often requested to give 
some account of my late journey and the state of rehgion 
in the various countries where I had travelled ; and the con- 
versation often turned on points connected with our religious 
principles. 

Joseph Sturge, he continues, was from home. At the re- 
quest of his wife I dined at their house with twenty -five young 
culprits, whom J. S. has in his Reformatory at Stoke, near 
Bromsgrove. They came in a van with horses to spqjad the 
day. They are all such as have been once or twice in prison, 
mostly for theft. I addressed them after dinner, and at tea- 
time I questioned them as to Jesus Christ our Redeemer, on 
God, Heaven and Hel], how to gain Heaven and avoid misery. 
I left them with a more favorable impression than I other- 
wise should have had. Severe measures had failed to improve 
them, but they seemed susceptible of kind treatment, and 
some of them gave hopes of amendment. 

9 mo. 21. — Yisited the Boys' and Girls' First-day Schools. 
Breakfasted with thirty teachers (you.ng men) at the schools. 
About 370 boys present in two rooms. None are taken 
under fourteen years of age. Also a large class of adults. I 
addressed the two companies : then went to the girls ; heard 



438 NTSMEs. [1856. 

them read, and addressed them. There are about twenty 
young women teachers, and perhaps 270 to 300 girls. 

The morning meeting was large. T was much pressed in 
spirit to speak on the nature of the fall of man, and on the 
necessity of having clear views of gospel truth, I was told 
afterwards that there was a Unitarian present. 

He attended the Quarterly Meeting at Leicester on 
the 24th, and the two following days met companies of 
young persons, who were, he says, " much tendered in 
spirit." After some similar service at Stourbridge and 
Coventry, he returned on the 27th to Stamford Hill. 
He remarks in his Diary: " I believe the service of the 
young Friends in the First-day Schools has been a bless- 
ing to themselves as well as to their pupils." 

The next month John Yeardley made a religious visit 
to Hertfordshire, and had two social-religious meetings 
with the younger Friends at Hitchin ; after which he 
remained at home until the beginning of the Twelfth 
Month, when he left England for Nismes. 

One object in this journey was to revisit the school 
which had been established by himself and Martha 
Yeardiey in 1842: another was the renewal of his 
declining health. Susan Howland and Lydia Congdon, 
from the United States, who were then on a visit to 
Europe, were bound for the same destination, and John 
Yeardley gave them his company. 

12 mo. 6. — On entering France, he says, we found a 
sprinkling of snow and frost, but on leaving Lyons we left 
all the wintry weather behind, and travelled on under a hot 
sun, and bright, cloudless sky, which seemed to impart to us 
all fresh vigor and spirits. S. Howland remarked, In such 
an atmosphere she felt another being. 



-^T. 71.] KCSMES. 439 

At Msmes, the party found Eliza P. Gurney, and 
Kobert and Christine Alsop, on their way home from 
the valleys of Piedmont. John Yeardley lodged at the 
school, spent much of his time with the children, and 
with the other English and the American Friends gave 
his aid in some plans for their recreation. 

12 mo. 25. — The evening of this day was a lively and 
pleasant scene. The girls' conntenances were brightened and 
their hearts cheered by the presents made to them by the 
English Friends present. The " tree " was new to them ; it 
was beautifully lighted with tapers, and bore a variety of fruit 
both for mind and body. 

1857. 3 mo. 2. — My dear friend proposed my giving 

the school girls a treat before I left Msmes. We contrived a 
visit to the sea, distant from Msmes about twenty miles. We 
procured two omnibuses with six horses, and started at 5 
o'clock in the morning. Long before the time appointed, the 
little maidens were in the entrance-hall with their satchels in 
their hand, containing each her dinner ; twenty-seven in all. 
The pleasure on the road was novel and great ; but when they 
arrived at the sea-shore their delight was complete ; with light 
hearts and quick heels, running and picking up shells, meeting 
the waves as they advanced and receded. On our return we 
visited the ancient town of Aigues-Mortes, near the sea, 
famous for having been the place where the Protestant 
women were confined and punished even to death. Wa 
entered most of the strong and gloomy cells, and saw the 
instrument of torture. The tower and fortress are a perfect 
model of a feudal castle. 

On his return to England, John Yeardley was taken 
HI with bronchitis, which produced great bodily weak- 
ness, and caused him " many wearisome " nights and 
days ; but, he says, " my Saviour was near to console 
and sustain me." He went for change to Bath, and 
afterwards to Brighton with Margaret Pope:— 



440 BRIGHTON — mARY. [1858. 

We made, he says, speaking of this visit many calls, and 
my hospitable hostess had many of the Friends to tea and 
dinner visits. Our social readings in the evening were often 
instructive in the conversation upon what we read, particularly 
over Hippolytus, who lived and wrote in the first half of the 
second century. The Chevalier Bunsen did good service to 
the Christian Church in bringing the life and some of the 
writings of this good man to light. 

On his return home we find him still solicitous, as he 
had been in former years, for the intellectual improve- 
ment of his young friends. 

11 mo. — During my stay at home I have renewed my 
German class for a few of my young friends. We have also 
commenced a soiree for German and French conversation. 
I love the society of my young friends, and am always 
anxious to promote their learning to speak German and 
French. 

The Diary for 1858, the last year of his life, com- 
mences with a New Year's dedication of himself afresh 
to the service of his faithful Creator, and a prayer for a 
fresh anointing in the exercise of his ministry. 

1858. 1 mo. 4. — How many and various are the thoughts 
which crowd on the mind on the commencement of a new 
year ; perhaps none more important than to think I am one 
year nearer to eternity. A desire does live in my heart 
(cherish it, 0, my God) to live more to thy glory on earth. 
How I long- to be favored with strength to do something 
for the cause of truth and righteousness, so long as I may 
be permitted to remain on the Lord's earth. I think with 
gratitude that he has blessed me with a little more faith of 
late in my ministry, and my very soul prays that in these 
requirings he may be pleased to put the unction of his 
Spirit into my heart, and his words into my mouth, and that 
under a right pointing, they may go forth with power. 



^T. 63.] DIARY. 441 

Grant me, Lord, more devotedness of life, and a riglit and 
sure preparation for a peaceful death and a blissful eternity. 

For some years before his decease, John Yeardley's 
thoughts were frequently occupied with the subject of 
the Millennium. Like some other good men, he thought 
he saw in the events which were taking place, the im- 
pending accomplishment of those predictions, whose 
fulfilment was to precede the " great and terrible day of 
the Lord." On one occasion, afler mentioning a number 
of these " signs of the times," he winds up the enumer- 
ation and the thoughts to which it gave rise, with the 
following reflection : — ' 

Happy is the Christian who, in this time of conflict, can 
look beyond the passing events of time to the Great First 
Cause, and behold, as with the eye of faith, the providence of 
his God watching over all things, waiting to bring good out 
of evil, and causing all things to work to the one great point, 
when he will cause the wrath of man to praise him, and the 
remainder of wrath will he restrain. ''Come, my people, 
enter thou into thy chambers and shut thy doors about thee ; 
hide thyself, as it were for a little moment, until the indig- 
nation be overpast. For behold the Lord cometh out of his 
place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity." 
(Isaiah xxvi. 20, 21.) 

In the Second Month he spent a week at Chelmsford 
with Susanna Corder. His visit was prefaced by the 
following letter : — 

Stamford Hill, 1 mo. 13, 1858. 

My dear Friend, 
It would seem to me as if there were only left here and 
there a link of the chain of my original connexion on this 
earth. The best end of this chain is attached to those loved 
ones in heaven who are drawing me every day nearer to their 
happy and blissful abode, through the love of our glorified 
Eedeemer. It is now many years since thou received her 
^9 



442 VISIT TO CHELMSFORD. [1858. 

once so dear to me as a bosom friend, to partake of tliy wise 
counsels, and in her troubles especially to enjoy the sympathy 
of thy warm and affectionate heart. 

I am now left alone for a short time : my young companion 
is at Norwich. If thou wert at home, pretty well in health, 
and withal not so much occupied as sometimes, it would be a 
great pleasure and gratification to me to pay thee a short visit ; 
but, as an absolute condition, I must request thee to say, in 
perfect freedom, if it would be quite convenient. I want to 
ask thee many, many things. 

Thy friend, affectionately and very sincerely, 

John Yeardley. 

After his return home, having also visited Safiron 
Walden, he writes : — 

1 mo. 25. — Just returned from a visit to Essex. I lodged a 
week at my dear friend S. C.'s, and was edified and comforted 
in her company. It has been a promised pleasure of some 
years' standing. The morning meeting on First-day, as well 
as the one on Fourth-day, was a season of spiritual refresh- 
ment, for which I was truly thankful. The Friends testified 
their unity and comfort : I called on most of them. 

On the Seventh-day, C. M. conveyed me across the country 
to Saffron Walden. On the way we paid a sweet visit to the 

afflicted family of . At Walden I was affectionately 

cared for, and was much interested in the Friends there, 
whom I had not seen for eighteen years. 



CHAPTER XXI. 

LAST JOURNEY AND DEATH, 1858. — CONCLIJDING REMARKS. 

We are now arrived at the closing scene of John 
Yeardley's labors. The impression which he had 
received, during his visit to Turkey in 1853, of the 
opening for the work of the Gospel in the Eastern 
countries, had never been obUterated; it had rather 
grown deeper with time, although his ability to accom- 
plish such an undertaking had proportionately dimin- 
ished. This consideration, however, could not satisfy 
his awakened sympathies, and, according to his appre- 
hension, no other course remained for him but to 
prepare for a visit to the missionary stations in Asia 
Minor and the countries beyond, in order to deliver to 
the inquiring inhabitants amongst whom those stations 
are planted, the message of Christ's love to their souls 
with which he behoved himself to be charged. And 
when he communicated to his friends the apprehension 
that this journey was required of him as the last offering 
of thanksgiving before his day closed, they were satisfied 
to " lay their hands upon him" for the work, thinking, 
perhaps, that the veteran soldier could not better end 
his campaign than with his arms in his hands, actively 
contending for the faith. That such might not impro- 
bably be the issue of the enterprise, John Yeardley 
himself behoved ; but it is doubtful if he correctly esti- 
mated the arduous nature of the journey. It would 
have been a bold undertaking in the vigor of his days : 

(448) 



444 DIARY. [1858. 

at his time of life, and with his declining strength, it 
was, humanly speaking, impossible that he should accom- 
plish nearly all he had in view. 

His Diary unfolds his spiritual exercises and his 
natural feelings in the prospect before him. 

3 mo. 17. — The last two months have been to me an awful 
time of deep conflict of spirit^ arising out of a prospect of 
a I'eligious visit to some places in Asiatic Turkey; and parts 
adjacent. I do not know when I have had more conflict to 
arrive at a clear pointing. I prayed earnestly and waited 
long for that clear pointing of Divine Wisdom, without which 
I can never move in concerns of this importance. In the end, 
I am thankful to say, the cloud was removed and the sun 
shone with brightness, and no longer was my poor tried mind 
left in doubt as to the line of religious duty ; and before men- 
tioning it to any one, I communicated it to the Monthly 
Meeting in the Second Month. Much unity and sympathy 
were expressed, and the certificate ordered. It is now signed, 
and is a sweet document, short and explicit. 

I see and deeply feel the perils and sufierings which await 
me, in venturing on untrodden ground, as it regards any 
minister of our Society, and to such a distance, and among, 
for the most part, an unbelieving people. Bat I can and do 
look forward in calm confidence, trusting, as I have ever done, 
in the aid and protecting care of my Heavenly Father, whose 
cause I desire to serve, and whose will I wish above all other 
things to do. My earthly career can never end better than 
in the work of my Divine Master ; and should it be his will to 
terminate my life in the Arab tent, I shall have more conso- 
lation there than in an English home under the stinging sense 
of a dereliction of my religious duty. 

I am giving all my leisure hours to learn something of the 
Turkish language, for travelling purposes, and for a little 
social intercourse. Ever since this concern fastened on my 
mind, it has been connected with having the company of my 
young friend from the South of France, Jules Paradon. 



.ST. 72.] VOYAGE TO COXSTANTIXOPLE. 445 

May the Lord grant me resignation, faith, grace, and 
strength to do his holy will ; and then, whether it end in life 
or death, his great name shall be praised. This testimony I 
record in gratitude and love to the mercy of my God. 
Amen. 

Before leaving England, he paid a visit to Staines. 

4 mo. 20. — ^I went down to Staines, and spent two weeks 
with Margaret Pope, which sojourn proved a strength and 
comfort to me. This dear friend is a succorer of many, and, 
I can truly say, of me in particular. We had several pleasant 
drives, and made friendly visits to the neighboring meetings 
and Friends. I also applied pretty diligently to the Turkish 
language. 

Amply provided, by the kindness of many friends, 
with whatever could administer to his wants or ease the 
roughness of Eastern travel, John Yeardley left his home 
on the 15th of the Sixth Month. He arrived at Nismes 
on the 17th, and was joined there by Jules Paradon. 
His Diary supplies some notes of the voyage to Con- 
stantinople. 

23rt7. — Malta. Here we arrived at 4 o'clock this morning, 
after a favorable passage ; thanks to the Preserver of our lives ; 
great is his mercy and his love. My heart is filled with deep 
thoughtfulness, and I am very anxious to procure an interpre- 
ter, either at Smyrna or Constantinople. My faith is weak, 
but I trust the Lord will provide. 

On descending the lower deck adjoining the large saloon, 
I found my faithful companion in calm but very earnest 
conversation with the commissary of the ship and a passenger 
of respectability, the Spanish consul of Smyrna. They had 
sifted from Jules the object of our journey, and when they 
found it connected with a religious mission, they both 
attacked him earnestly and showed themselves really opposed 



446 CONSTANTINOPLE. [1858. 

to the truth. But my young friend stood his ground well, 
and maintained the Christian religion. The opponents were 
both Eomanists. They quieted down before the close, and 
treated us respectfully the remainder of the journey; we 
parted with them at Smyrna. I am thankful to have in my 
companion such a defender of the faith. 

21th. — We arrived at Smyrna this morning, and in order to 
meet some of our Christian friends to whom we had letters of 
recommendation, we met them after their worship. Edward 
Van Lennep, the Dutch consul, and his brother Charles, the 
Swedish consul, received us with great kindness and cordi- 
ality through the letters from one of our Members of Parlia- 
ment. It was very sweet to find these two brothers so im-, 
bued with religious feeling ; they gave their hearts to help 
us in our prospect. 

On the 30th John Yeardley and his companion landed 
at Constantinople ; they found the heat and noise of the 
city very oppressive. 

The people in the streets, says John Yeardley, are nu- 
merous beyond all description ; thousands, and tens of thou- 
sands, standing, sitting, running, following, or pushing one 
against the other, talking and shouting in the ceaseless noise 
of the Armenian, Turkish, Grreek, Syriac, Italian, French and 
English languages. The services of my dear Jules are most 
valuable ; he makes his way with every one through his 
earnest kindness to serve the good cause. 

When passing through the islands, he adds, the prospect 
was extremely beautiful ; but my mind was always anxious 
in the prospect of the long journey before us; but the mercy 
of my God is great, and deeply humbles me in thankfulness 
for his goodness. — {Letter of 7 mo. 4.) 

Very soon after their arrival, walking several hours 
in the heat of the day, John Yeardley had a slight 
attack of sun-stroke. The effect appeared quickly to 



MT, 72.] BEBEK. 447 

pass off, and he was able to perform such religious duty 
as opened before him in the city and its immediate 
neighborhood. 

Diary. 7 mQ. 4. — We made a call at Bebek : Dr. Hamlin 
had gone to the city, but Dr. D wight received us kindly. 
These two dear Christian friends called on ns yesterday. 
This morning we attended the meeting in the Armenian 
chapel, and at half-past 1 w© had a full company in the same 
meeting-house. They received in a free and brotherly dis- 
position what I was favored to express in gospel freedom ; 
I concluded in supplication. A kind and Christian man 
interpreted with simplicity into the Turkish language. The 
morning service was in the Armenian. "We have already had 
many calls from these loving Christian friends in our hotel. 
What a mercy, and how encouraging, to be thus received in 
gospel love by strangers ! 

Eespecting this meeting Jules Paradon says : — 

About thirty-five or forty were present. Our dear friend's 
communication was short and simple ; it breathed love to all. 
In fact, what he seemed to have most on his mind in all 
his public communications was, to show his hearers how 
much God loved them in even giving his own Son for them, 
and the high privilege we can enjoy in loving him. 

They went also to Has-Keu'i, where J. Y. desired to 
have a meeting with the girls of the school ; but many 
had left for the vacation, and he was obliged to give up 
his intention. 

On the 10th they went to Brusa, in Asia Minor, six 
hours by steam -vessel across the Sea of Marmora to 
Moudania, and six on horseback from Moudania to 
Brusa. The land journey was oppressive. A narrow 
path winds through a very rugged country ; and there 
is only one halting-place, a guard hut, where they took 



448 BRUSA — BARGHEGTIIK. [1858. 

a cup of coffee, the only refreshment the inmates had 
to offer. John Yeardley suffered much in this day's 
journey. 

He had two meetings in the Protestant meeting- 
house at Brusa : — 

Both, says Jules Paradon, took place after the usual ser- 
vice, which was expressly made short. The hearers, to the 
number of about 120, were impressed and interested to hear 
and see our dear friend come from so far to visit them in the 
love of the gospel. Twelve or fourteen men came two even- 
ings to see us at our lodgings; and on both occasions our 
dear friend addressed them very sweetly. The heat tried him 
very much, but he felt pleased and happy to be helped to 
sympathize with so many simple, kind-hearted people. 

At Demirdash (six miles from Brusa), he had a short 
religious opportunity with a few persons. 

On their return to Constantinople, finding that a box 
of luggage he expected from London, containing a tent 
and other equipments, had not arrived, without which 
he could not pursue his journey into the interior, he 
employed the interval in visiting Isnik, (the ancient Nico- 
media,) and Bargheghik, two places in Asia Minor, not 
far from the coast. Accordingly they started early the 
next day, and reached Isnik late in the evening, weary 
and exhausted, having been able to procure very little re- 
freshment on the way. They proceeded to Bargheghik 
the day following ; John Yeardley walking about four 
miles in the middle of the day, with which he was 
extremely fatigued. 

He had a meeting, continues Jules Paradon, late in the 
evening, which proved highly interesting. About thirty men 
and one woman attended. Our dear friend encouraged and 
consoled the weak and the afflicted. The next day we returned 



MT. 72.] IS SEIZED WITH PARALYSIS, AND RETURNS HOME. 449 

to Isnik, having to bear tlie Tieat of tlie sun from half-past 
eight till three in the afternoon. We had a meeting the same 
afternoon at half-past four, towards the close of which he felt 
weak, and seemed to end his address rather abruptly. 



The fact was, that paralysis had supervened ; and on 
his return the next day to Constantinople, his bodily 
and mental strength were seen to be rapidly diminish- 
ing. He still clung, however, to the desire of accom- 
plishing the object which lay so near his heart, and 
could not be satisfied without going to Bebek to consult 
his missionary friends about his journey into the inte- 
rior. Probably they perceived that he was totally 
unequal to the effort, and advised him to relinquish it; 
for on his return to the city he was induced to abandon 
the thought of proceeding farther, and to turn his mind 
towards home. On the 23rd he said. If after what had 
been done he was permitted to go home, it would be a 
satisfaction.* 

On the 26th they embarked for Marseilles. John 
Yeardley bore the voyage well, walking on deck every 
day, but becoming continually weaker. They arrived at 
Marseilles on the 4th of the Eighth Month, and passed 
through France as rapidly as his state would allow. 
On the evening of Second-day, the 9th, he was favored 
to reach Stamford Hill; and though unable to speak, 
he recognized several of his near relatives, and signified 
his pleasure in being once more at home. 



* After Ms return, a letter was received from one of the missionaries 
at Constantinople, expressive of the pleasure which his visit had given 
there, the regret of the writer that age and fatigue prevented him from 
pursuing his journey to the more remote stations, and the cordial 
welcome which "such Christian friends of any denomination" might 
always reckon upon from the missionary brethren. 



450 HIS DEATH. 

He continued to sink until Fifth-day, the 11th, when 
he quietly breathed his last, an expression of peace rest- 
ing on his venerable face. We may say, with one of 
his most intimate friends on the Continent, when he 
heard of his decease : — " So our beloved friend has been 
called to enter into his Lord's joy. Now he will see 
God, to whom he often used to pray. ' With thee is 
the fountain of life ; in thy light shall we see Hght.' " 

His remains were interred at Stoke Newington, on 
the 18th of the Eighth Month. 



Of the fruits which John Yeardley has bequeathed 
to us in the history of his life and Christian experience, 
none perhaps are of higher value than his diligent 
improvement of the talents he possessed and his steady 
and persevering pursuit of what he had in view. It is 
not so much what abilities a man has that determines 
his place in society, and the amount of his influence, as 
the use which he makes of them. Of this truth John 
Yeardley was a striking example. We have heard him 
say, in one of his early diaries : " I have clearly seen 
for what service I am designed in the church militant 
here on earth ; therefore, through the assistance of 
divine grace, I hope to pursue nothing but in subordina- 
tion to this main design." The service to which he was 
called was the Christian ministry; and, laying aside 
every meaner ambition, and indeed every other object, 
he addressed himself to preparation for this service as 
the labor of his life. He cultivated those habits of 
mind and body, and confined himself to the acquisition 



EEMARKS ON HIS CHARACTER. 451 

of those branches of knowledge, which, while they left 
his heavenly gift free and unsullied, would best subserve 
the exercise of it. 

His industry and perseverance were remarkable. In 
none of his pursuits were these qualities more conspi- 
cuous than in his study of languages. It cost him, 
especially, an almost incredible amount of labor to 
master French. The slight elementary knowledge of 
this language which he acquired at Bentham cannot 
have given him so much as an insight into it; his 
acquaintance with it may be said to date from his visit 
to Congenies, when he had reached his fortieth year. 
Yet, by indefatigable exertion, maintained during many 
years, he became able to write and speak it fluently, 
though not correctly, and even to preach without an 
interpreter. The difficulty which he encountered in the 
acquisition of languages, from the late period of life at 
which he commenced, was enhanced by his ignorance of 
Latin, that best trainer of the youthful faculties, and by 
a natural inaptitude for the memory of words. A proof 
of the latter occurred when, with his quick-witted wife, 
he was occupied in conning over the Italian and Modern 
Greek Grammars, in preparation for their journey to 
the Ionian Islands. The difference in their natural 
capacities in this respect is shown in her playful expres- 
sion; "I got my lesson in half an hour; while John 
has been three or four hours over his, and does not 
know it yet." 

But although slow in study, he was quick and shrewd 
in the observation of actual life. This was apparent in 
his daily converse; and it may also be continually 
traced in his Diary, where, describing those with whom 
he became acquainted in his numerous travels, he seizes, 



452 REMARKS ON HIS CHARACTER. 

on the prominent feature of their mind or manners, and 
with a word affixes to each his own particular mark. 
Of the hundreds of individuals who rise into view one 
after another in the course of these journeys, scarcely 
two are alike ; a result which is, perhaps, due as much 
to the pen of the writer, as to the inherent diversities of 
the human character. 

To this shrewdness of observation, he added a racy 
humor which those who knew him in his hours of 
relaxation and familiarity will not easily forget. His 
mind was stored with quaint and pithy phrases, and 
apt illustrations, which he not unfrequently seasoned 
with his native idiom, the broad Barnsley dialect. His 
north-country pronunciation, indeed, never entirely for- 
sook him ; and the singular graft of German which he 
made upon it during his residence abroad, caused it to 
be commonly supposed, by those who were strangers to 
his history, that he was a native of Germany. 

The same moral constitution that enabled John 
Yeardley to pursue his objects with indomitable per- 
severance, sometimes betrayed him, as may easily be 
imagined, into a tenacity of purpose, bordering upon 
obstinacy. To the same strength of will also, acting 
on the defects incident to a neglected education in 
early life, must be attributed those strong prejudices 
which were at times to be remarked in him, and of 
which he found it extremely difficult to divest himself. 
But it was the triumph of grace, that whilst these faults 
of character and disposition remained for the most part 
only as a hidden thorn, the messenger of Satan to 
buffet him, the virtues to which they were allied, and 
all the faculties of his mind, were consecrated to the 
service of God and of his fellow-man, and his whole 



HIS MINISTRY. 453 

nature was enlarged, refined and elevated, by the all- 
powerful energy of the gospel. 

" Very sweet and instructive are our recollections of 
the humility of his walk amongst us, and of the live- 
liness of his ministry, marked as it was by much sim- 
plicity, love and earnestness." To this testimony of his 
Monthly Meeting, all who were accustomed to hear him 
will readily subscribe. 

We are able to append some notes of a few of his 
public testimonies, which we give as likely to be at 
once gratifying and instructive to the reader. The 
friend to whom we are indebted for them informs us 
that " the notes were written immediately after meet- 
ing, and are as nearly the words used as his memory 
would furnish." He adds, " They bring before the 
mind's eye and ear the face and voice of a dear departed 
friend, and, I believe, a true and enlightened servant of 
the Lord." 



(8 mo, 1850.) 

Keep thy heart ivith all diligence, for out of it are the issues of 
life. — (Proverbs iv. 23.) 

We often are made to feel the force of this truth, when we 
have been un watchful, and some cross occurrence has tried our 
tempers. How often we are made to see, and to show before 
others, what manner of spirit is in us 

Sometimes we are favored with such clear convictions of 
the worthlessness of mere worldly possessions and pursuits, 
and such delightful realizations of the happiness of seeking 
to do the Lord's work, that we are ready to express our aston- 
ishment that any human beings can be found so foolish as 
to devote their energies to the pursuit of things which never 
can give satisfaction, and which must needs perish. And 
then, perhaps, we are brought into a state of darkness and 



454 NOTES OF SOME OF HTS 

despondency, to show us our utter helplessness and un- 
worthiness, and the need there is for every one of us to 
" keep the heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues 
of life." .... 

Every individual, no doubt, has his own particular path of 
duty, which is designed to promote his own best happiness 
and the well-being of all mankind. How important for each 
to follow that path in watchfulness and obedience, that the 
work may not be marred ! How important to keep the 
heart with all diligence, that the issues of life may be in 
accordance with the divine will ! 



( 9 mo. 1, 1850.) 

Since the people began to bring the offerings into the house of 
the Lord, we have had enough to eat, and have left plenty. — 
(2 Chronicles xxxi. 10.) 

These words have been impressed upon my mind this 
morning, and I have thought they were instructive, in a 
spiritual sense. I believe, if we were more earnest in bringing 
offerings into the house of the Lord — if each, one of us was 
more diligent in contributing his share, and doing his part 
of the Lord's business, — we should have less anxiety about 
worldly things; we should have faith in the Lord's provi- 
dence, and^ not only spiritually, but naturally also, we should 
have '' enough to eat and plenty left." 



(11 mo. 24, 1850.) 

In looking at the world around, we may be apt to think 
that the day is very far off when the Lord's kingdom shall be 
established in peace : but to those who, through the regener- 
ating power of Christ, have become subjects of the Prince 
of Peace, that day has commenced already ; and whatever 
storms may rage without, they will experience peace within. 
For " he will keep them in perfect peace whose minds are 
staid on him, because they trust in him." 



TUBLIC TESTIMONIES. 455 

(9 mo. 19, 1852.) 
Jolin Yeardley addressed tlie cliildreii with much feeling, 
telling them to rely on the Lord Jesus Christ in all their 
ways — ^to let him carry them in his bosom, and to run to him 
in danger or trouble, as they would to their tender mothers. 



You sometimes are restless in these meetings, not knowing 
how to keep your thoughts fixed on heavenly things, and 
perplexed for want of some visible means of instruction. 
I believe your tender Saviour may often feed you, even while 
in this state, with food convenient for you. But remember, 
dear children, that he is always calling to every one of you, 
Come unto Me. Suffer little children to come unto Me, and 
forbid them not. ! come to him, my precious lambs, and 
he will feed you, and '' lead you beside the still waters, and 
make you lie down in green pastures." 



(12 mo. 8, 1854. At a Funeral.) 

And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to 
Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads : they 
shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall jlee 
away. — (Isa. xxxv. 10.) 

In the pain of parting with the beloved object of our 
heart's affection, we forget the rejoicing which welcomes the 
ransomed spirit to its everlasting rest. But when the time 
is come for the Lord to pour in the healing balm into the 
sorrowing soul, then we find a little comfort 

^' Watchman ! what of the night ? Watchman ! what of the 
night ? The watchman said. The morning cometh, and also 
the night : if ye will inquire, inquire ye : return ; come." 
There are many in this company in the morning of life, 
enjoying the prospect of many days, and forming many plans 
for the future, with all the ardor of their youthful minds. 
May the present occasion prove the morning of their spiritual 



456 NOTES OF SOME OF HIS PUBLIC TESTIMONIES. 

day ; and may they remember that the night cometh as well as 
the morning. 

How thin is the partition which separates the present state 
from that of eternity ! We mourn over those who are taken 
away from us, and we fancy we are left alone. But we are 
called to be one in Christ. I have great faith in the commu 
nion of saints, in the union of saints on earth with saints in 
heaven. And we are all called to be saints by walking in 
faith, by leading a life of holiness in the fear of the Lord. 
We say our beloved friends who have gone before us are dead. 
They are not dead : they have but just entered into life. Let us not 
mourn, then, as those who have no hope. Let us rather rejoice 
with them and for them, and so live that we may be among 
the ransomed of the Lord, who shall return and come to Zion 
with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads, and sorrow 
and sighing shall flee away. 



THE END. 



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